2025 | Student

French Design Awards Silver Winner

Smart Elderly Care Bed

Entrant Company

Northeastern University

Category

Product Design - Medical Devices & Technology

Client's Name

Country / Region

China

The Smart Elderly Care Bed is a groundbreaking assistive technology solution designed to transform community-based eldercare by addressing the pressing challenges faced by semi-mobile and bedridden seniors. In today's aging societies, elderly individuals with limited mobility often struggle with daily activities, relying heavily on overburdened caregivers while facing risks like pressure ulcers, muscle atrophy, and inadequate health monitoring. Our intelligent medical bed system redefines senior care through an innovative integration of smart technology, ergonomic design, and compassionate functionality.

At its core, the bed features a modular architecture with a detachable frame and main bed structure, enabling flexible configurations for different care scenarios. The system offers voice and touch-controlled mobility, allowing effortless repositioning and multi-angle adjustments (0-80° backrest, 0-45° leg rest) to facilitate sitting, turning, and therapeutic positioning. A motorized turning mechanism with programmable intervals automatically prevents pressure sores, while integrated airwave massage modules stimulate circulation and comfort.

Health monitoring is revolutionized through embedded biometric sensors tracking vital signs (heart rate, respiration, body temperature) and sleep patterns, with data transmitted wirelessly to caregivers' dashboards and family members' smartphones via a dedicated app. The removable center panel simplifies hygienic care, and strategically placed assistive handles enable safe caregiver-assisted transfers.

Beyond basic functionality, the design incorporates thoughtful human-centered features: a height-adjustable frame converts into a stable standing aid; the detachable side rail transforms into a multifunctional table for meals, reading, or as an IV stand; and ambient lighting/alert systems enhance safety during nighttime mobility. Constructed with an aircraft-grade aluminum frame, medical-grade PVC surfaces, and anti-bacterial leather upholstery, the bed combines durability with infection control.
What truly sets this solution apart is its dual focus on efficiency and emotional wellbeing. By automating routine care tasks (turning, health tracking) that account for 60% of caregiver workload, it dramatically reduces physical strain while ensuring consistent care quality. Simultaneously, features like personalized massage programs, integrated entertainment interfaces, and family communication portals address seniors' psychological needs for autonomy and connection.

Credits

Associate Professor/Northeastern University
Deng Ming
Associate Professor/Northeastern University
Zhang Xiaoqiu
Master's Degree/Northeast University
Chen Yage
Master's Degree/Northeast University
Yang Xingyue
Master's Degree/Northeast University
Zhang Mingyu
Master's Degree/Northeast University
Wu Haichuan
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