🤖 Elderly Care Robotics Projects

Innovative Arduino-Based Solutions for Health, Safety, and Independence

🔧 Overview:

This document introduces 5 practical and life-enhancing robotics projects focused on elderly care using Arduino and ESP32 platforms. These projects address common needs such as fall detection, GPS tracking, medication reminders, voice control, and emergency response systems.

Each project includes:

• ✅ Purpose
• ⚙️ Components
• 📐 Circuit Summary
• 💻 Full Arduino Code
• 🧪 How It Works
• ⚠️ Notes and Enhancements

⚠️ Attention !

Before starting any project implementation, please read the Safety & Legal Disclaimer section at the bottom of this page. It contains important guidelines to ensure safe and responsible usage.

🛡️ Project 1: Fall Detection with Emergency SMS Alert

Detect Falls Using Accelerometer & Alert Caregivers via SMS

Purpose: Detect accidental falls using an MPU6050 accelerometer and send an emergency alert via GSM (SIM800L).

Components:

• Arduino Uno or Nano
• MPU6050 Accelerometer
• SIM800L GSM Module
• Battery + Step-Down Converter (AMS1117)

Circuit Summary:

• MPU6050 → I2C (A4 SDA, A5 SCL)
• SIM800L → TX to D7, RX to D8 (with voltage divider)

Full Arduino Code:

#include <Wire.h>
#include <MPU6050.h>
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

MPU6050 mpu;
SoftwareSerial sim800(7, 8);

const int shockThreshold = 25000; // Adjust this based on testing

void setup() {
  Wire.begin();
  sim800.begin(9600);
  Serial.begin(9600);
  mpu.initialize();
  sim800.println("AT+CMGF=1");
}

void loop() {
  int16_t ax, ay, az;
  mpu.getAcceleration(&ax, &ay, &az);
  long magnitude = ax * ax + ay * ay + az * az;

  if (magnitude > shockThreshold) {
    sendSMS("+1234567890", "Fall detected! Immediate assistance needed.");
    delay(10000);
  }
  delay(1000);
}

void sendSMS(String number, String message) {
  sim800.println("AT+CMGS=\"" + number + "\"");
  delay(500);
  sim800.print(message);
  sim800.write(26);
  delay(1000);
}

🛰️ Project 2: GPS Tracker & Geofencing Bracelet

Real-Time Location + Safe Zone Alerts via SMS

Purpose: Track real-time location and send alerts if user exits safe zone.

Components:

• Arduino Uno / Nano
• Neo-6M GPS Module
• SIM800L GSM Module
• Battery & Voltage Regulator

Circuit Summary:

• GPS TX → Arduino RX (D4), GPS RX → Arduino TX (D3)
• SIM800L → TX to D7, RX to D8

Full Arduino Code:

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
#include <TinyGPS++.h>

TinyGPSPlus gps;
SoftwareSerial gpsSerial(4, 3);
SoftwareSerial gsmSerial(7, 8);

const float SAFE_LAT = 37.7749;
const float SAFE_LON = 29.0870;
const float RADIUS = 100.0;
bool outOfZone = false;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  gpsSerial.begin(9600);
  gsmSerial.begin(9600);
  sendAT("AT");
  sendAT("AT+CMGF=1");
}

void loop() {
  while (gpsSerial.available()) gps.encode(gpsSerial.read());
  if (gps.location.isUpdated()) {
    float lat = gps.location.lat();
    float lon = gps.location.lng();
    if (!isInZone(lat, lon) && !outOfZone) {
      sendSMS("+1234567890", "Exited safe zone!");
      outOfZone = true;
    } else if (isInZone(lat, lon)) outOfZone = false;
  }
}

bool isInZone(float lat, float lon) {
  return TinyGPSPlus::distanceBetween(lat, lon, SAFE_LAT, SAFE_LON) < RADIUS;
}

void sendAT(String cmd) {
  gsmSerial.println(cmd);
  delay(500);
  while (gsmSerial.available()) Serial.write(gsmSerial.read());
}

void sendSMS(String number, String msg) {
  gsmSerial.println("AT+CMGS=\"" + number + "\"");
  delay(500);
  gsmSerial.print(msg);
  gsmSerial.write(26);
}

🎙️ Project 3: Voice-Controlled Assistant for Elderly

Hands-Free Voice Commands for Light, Alerts & Help

Purpose: Enable elderly users to use voice commands for control or assistance.

Components:

• ESP32 Board
• INMP441 Microphone
• Relay Module
• Speaker (optional)
• Push Button (optional)

Circuit Summary:

• Microphone → I2S pins on ESP32
• Relay → GPIO 25

Arduino Code (Mock):

const int relayPin = 25;
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  pinMode(relayPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  String command = getVoiceCommand();
  if (command == "turn on light") digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH);
  if (command == "turn off light") digitalWrite(relayPin, LOW);
  if (command == "call help") Serial.println("Calling help...");
  delay(1000);
}

String getVoiceCommand() {
  return ""; // Placeholder for real voice input
}

⏰ Project 4: Medication Reminder with LCD and Buzzer

Timed Alerts to Remind Users to Take Medicine

Purpose: Remind user to take medicine at preset times.

Components:

• Arduino Uno / Nano
• RTC Module (DS3231)
• LCD (I2C)
• Buzzer

Circuit Summary:

• RTC → SDA/SCL (A4/A5)
• LCD → I2C
• Buzzer → GPIO (D6)

Arduino Code:

#include <Wire.h>
#include <RTClib.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>

RTC_DS3231 rtc;
LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);
const int buzzerPin = 6;

void setup() {
  Wire.begin(); lcd.begin(); lcd.backlight();
  rtc.begin();
  pinMode(buzzerPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  DateTime now = rtc.now();
  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
  lcd.print("Time: ");
  lcd.print(now.hour()); lcd.print(":"), lcd.print(now.minute());

  if (now.hour() == 9 && now.minute() == 0) {
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    lcd.print("Take medicine!");
    tone(buzzerPin, 1000); delay(2000); noTone(buzzerPin);
  }
  delay(60000);
}

🚨 Project 5: Autonomous Emergency Call System

Sensors for Inactivity, Heart Rate, Gas, & Auto SMS Alerts

Purpose: Detect emergencies via sensors and alert caregivers via GSM.

Components:

• ESP32
• Pulse Sensor
• MQ-2 Gas Sensor
• PIR Motion Sensor
• Buzzer
• SIM800L GSM Module

Circuit Summary:

• Pulse → GPIO 34
• MQ2 → GPIO 35
• PIR → GPIO 27
• Buzzer → GPIO 26
• SIM800L → UART RX/TX

Full Arduino Code:

#include <PulseSensorPlayground.h>

const int pulsePin = 34, pirPin = 27, mq2Pin = 35, buzzerPin = 26;
unsigned long lastMotion = 0; bool alertSent = false;
PulseSensorPlayground pulse;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  pinMode(pirPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(buzzerPin, OUTPUT);
  pulse.analogInput(pulsePin); pulse.begin();
  lastMotion = millis();
}

void loop() {
  int bpm = pulse.getBeatsPerMinute();
  bool motion = digitalRead(pirPin);
  int gas = analogRead(mq2Pin);

  if (motion) { lastMotion = millis(); alertSent = false; }

  if ((millis() - lastMotion > 60000 || bpm < 50 || bpm > 110 || gas > 300) && !alertSent) {
    tone(buzzerPin, 1000); delay(5000); noTone(buzzerPin);
    Serial.println("Emergency Alert Triggered");
    alertSent = true;
  }
  delay(1000);
}

✅ Final Notes:

These projects can be expanded with Wi-Fi connectivity, mobile app integration, or AI-based monitoring to further improve elderly safety and independence.

⚠️ Safety & Legal Disclaimer

These projects are for educational, prototyping, and ideation purposes only.

These systems, developed using AI logic, should be carefully tested before being implemented in the real world, and the accuracy of the electronic devices and connections used should be double-checked.

All actions, implementations, and outcomes resulting from this project are entirely the responsibility of the developer or individual applying the system.

For real-life deployment, the system must be equipped with proper sensors, protective housings, safety mechanisms, and comply with local legal regulations.

Any misuse or misinterpretation of the project that results in device damage, data loss, or accidental injury is entirely the user’s responsibility.

Always use the project responsibly and perform thorough extensive testing before live use or field deployment.

Supervision & Controls

Especially for users with limited electronics experience, including children, it is strongly advised to work under the constant supervision of an experienced adult or professional when assembling or testing such projects.