Personal safety through 4G
The government is promoting the home care of vulnerable individuals and the elderly. For this to be effective, it’s crucial that they can easily call for help and that assistance is provided quickly when needed. Thus, maintaining an open communication channel is essential for their safety and comfort. Cellular IoT solutions, such as 4G, offer advantages over Wi-Fi solutions because they are easier for the elderly to use: there’s no need to synchronize with a Wi-Fi network, reducing the risk of accidental disconnection due to mishandling. Moreover, cellular IoT is also more secure and transparent.
To protect the elderly or those requiring assistance, the use of alert buttons can be an effective solution. However, it is worth noting that 2G and 3G technologies are gradually being phased out in favor of newer ones. Therefore, to ensure the continuity of emergency services and provide rapid and reliable responses, it is important to turn to devices using 4G technology, which offers wider coverage and increased stability.
To help with the loss of autonomy, the company LinkIa created a special tablet connected to 4G, associated with a platform. This platform stimulates elderly users intellectually as well as making it easier to call relatives. LinkIA uses a Plug-and-Play SIM card – no configuration is needed, once connected, the person can start using all the features without the risk of an unwanted network disconnection.
Moreover, in terms of safety, connected watches can also be utilized. While most smartwatches use Bluetooth technologies, this is not the case for all. The iWatch is one example of a watch that has an eSIM with 4G. This watch is capable of detecting a sudden stop or fall. In such cases, its AI technology triggers an emergency call. Its satellite backup has already saved several lives thanks to its accident detection feature, even in areas without a network.
NB-IoT and LTE-M technologies to aid emergency services
When it comes to supporting emergency services in their missions, cellular IoT plays a significant role. For instance, fire alarms can be connected directly to the firefighters’ rescue center using LTE-M and NB-IoT technologies. These have a great penetration capability, allowing for reliable connectivity even in basements, making them a suitable solution for connected buildings or homes. In semi-awake mode, they can send information quickly with low latency. Specifically, in the event of fire detection, the device remains dormant until an event such as smoke, heat, or CO2 detection occurs, which then allows the immediate transmission of a signal.
Avoiding « hacks » through cellular IoT
Similarly, to avoid video surveillance hacks as can happen with Wi-Fi, smoke detectors and surveillance cameras can connect to the security systems of companies specializing in protection and/or rescue centers via cellular IoT.
Professionals often use 4G or even 5G to connect their cameras. Inside the camera lenses, it’s possible to integrate AI that detects whether the moving being is an animal or a human. The alarm will trigger based on this identification. The increasingly popular intercom solutions are also connected to 4G. Thus, when a visitor arrives at the resident’s home in their absence, the latter receives a call on their mobile phone. Finally, with smartlock technologies, it’s even possible to open the front door or the garage door directly from one’s smartphone.