Experimental testing of a prototype wireless tele-alerting system for monitoring sleeping infants (smart cot MAIA)

Abstract

Real time in situ medical monitoring has become increasingly common in the past few decades, driven by the development of a wide variety of affordable sensors and power autonomous, energy efficient microcontroller platforms. Portable and unobtrusive multi-sensor data acquisition is considered routine, including real-time data processing and alerting based on measurements within or around the human body. Project MAIA has developed an intelligent baby cot system capable of monitoring sleeping infants and remotely notifying their carers under pre-programmed circumstances. It aims to add a layer of protection for infants during the first 6 months of their life, primarily targeting medical emergencies such as choking, suffocation and the elusive Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The MAIA system also aims to contribute to current paediatric medical knowledge by providing rare in situ research data.