Beat the Heat

The Project

We are Sakura Tech. Let me introduce the technical aspects of Beat the Heat, our app preventing elderly heat stroke through family connections. "Beat the Heat" has four main purposes. First is Connect with family, second is Stay Cool in Summer, third is Notice the signs of own Malaise, and fourth is Preparing For Heat. First, Users log in as either 'family' or 'elderly.' Connection happens via QR code or invitation code during setup. In summer, a wearable device of BBC Micro:bit alerts when rooms get hot and shows cool spots nearby. Before going out, there's a checklist feature, and hourly health checks while outside. The health check first asks if your phone screen is blurry. If not, it compares your clear vision by showing you surrounding scenery taken with your phone. Our key feature is year-round heat acclimatization exercise support. The Bluetooth-connected BBC Micro:bit tracks exercises, displaying counts on family timelines where relatives can send encouragement, boosting motivation and strengthening connections. We use machine learning to recognize exercises. Trained with Micro Create AI service, our model identifies movement patterns, transmitting data via Bluetooth to the smartphone app which tallies repetitions. As another exercise feature, we highly recommend the "interval walking" support, which has been gaining scientific attention in recent years for its benefits in heat acclimatization and health management. It provides audio cues every three minutes to change walking speed, allowing users to enjoy efficient walks without constantly checking a watch. We tested with 10 elderly users. Those in their 70s managed well, but 80+ users reported difficulties—particularly with uncomfortable feeling when wearing the device and charging the device. In response, we developed a home device version with voice controls and motion detection using Vision Framework, requiring minimal user interaction. We're planning several future enhancements: morning exercise notifications with cute characters and customization features that unlock with continuous usage, making prevention fun for elderly users. Additionally, we're developing a heat stroke prevention community feature connecting elderly people in the same area, helping reduce isolation. Beat the Heat combines cutting-edge technology with senior-friendly design.

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