Development of Smart Pressure-Sensing System for Solitary Elderly Monitoring
Jiyu Kim
US International School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Publication date: July 10, 2026
US International School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Publication date: July 10, 2026
DOI: http://doi.org/10.34614/JIYRC2026I18
ABSTRACT
South Korea’s rapidly aging population has led to a growing number of older adults living alone, increasing the risk of emergencies remaining unnoticed for extended periods. In this study, a low-cost and non-invasive smart pressure-sensing system was developed to monitor daily activity patterns in households with elderly residents. Four ESP32-based wireless pressure sensors were installed on a toilet switch, a bathroom door handle, a snap-type medicine cabinet, and a twist-cap medicine bottle. Sensor data were transmitted to a Firebase database and displayed through a web-based dashboard for real-time monitoring and pattern analysis. A three-week field test conducted in the home of an elderly couple recorded events related to restroom use, room access, and medication handling, allowing the construction of individualized baseline activity patterns. Periods of no recorded activity accurately matched times when the residents were away from home, while differences among medication-related sensors reflected actual medication routines as well as the influence of sensor placement and object-interaction type. These findings suggest that simple pressure-based monitoring can effectively capture meaningful daily behavior without relying on invasive camera- or audio-based surveillance. Overall, this system demonstrates strong potential as a privacy-preserving approach for safety monitoring and provides a practical foundation for future multi-sensor home health systems designed to support aging populations.
South Korea’s rapidly aging population has led to a growing number of older adults living alone, increasing the risk of emergencies remaining unnoticed for extended periods. In this study, a low-cost and non-invasive smart pressure-sensing system was developed to monitor daily activity patterns in households with elderly residents. Four ESP32-based wireless pressure sensors were installed on a toilet switch, a bathroom door handle, a snap-type medicine cabinet, and a twist-cap medicine bottle. Sensor data were transmitted to a Firebase database and displayed through a web-based dashboard for real-time monitoring and pattern analysis. A three-week field test conducted in the home of an elderly couple recorded events related to restroom use, room access, and medication handling, allowing the construction of individualized baseline activity patterns. Periods of no recorded activity accurately matched times when the residents were away from home, while differences among medication-related sensors reflected actual medication routines as well as the influence of sensor placement and object-interaction type. These findings suggest that simple pressure-based monitoring can effectively capture meaningful daily behavior without relying on invasive camera- or audio-based surveillance. Overall, this system demonstrates strong potential as a privacy-preserving approach for safety monitoring and provides a practical foundation for future multi-sensor home health systems designed to support aging populations.
