Interview with Malcolm Berman
Gary Barg: Malcolm, the bathroom is routinely cited as the most dangerous room in the house for seniors. And in fact, of the over 200,000 US annual falls, two-thirds happen during bathing or showering. And as you might guess, the older we get, the more likely we are to incur such injuries.
So, that's why I'm excited to talk with you today. Your organization has come up with a groundbreaking and technologically nifty solution to keep our loved ones safe in these instances – or at least be able to get the help as soon as possible. Can you describe the Walabot HOME?
Malcolm Berman: Sure. The Walabot HOME is the first automatic fall detection device that doesn't need to be worn. Traditionally, if you're concerned about falls, people would wear a fall-detection bracelet or pendant, which can be very helpful. But there are some situations where having those are not so convenient, or your loved ones just don't want to wear them.
The Walabot HOME, is a device that's placed on your bathroom wall and sends out radio signals –almost like a WiFi signal pulse. What it does is to detect when people come in, and if a fall happens, it can identify it. Then, the device will call anyone that you designate and it'll give you a direct line to talk to your loved one who has fallen.
In creating Walabot HOME, we were dedicated to developing a way to stay connected, especially during times when people need help and most likely do not have a cell phone or a fall detection device on them
Gary Barg: How did you come about creating this technology?
Malcolm Berman
Malcolm Berman: Our company, Vayyar is one of the most sophisticated developers of radio wave technology, and so what the Walabot HOME is actually doing is sending out these radio waves – again, like WiFi signals, with absolutely no health risk whatsoever. It sends out hundreds of thousands of signals, which bounce all over the environment, comes back and creates a 3D image of what's going on in the bathroom in real-time.
When someone comes into the bathroom, the device notices that the reflections from that person are different than the reflections from the floor, the walls, or other things. Then, what it can do is to detect a body position. It has the sophistication to differentiate between a person standing, sitting or fallen.
It can also tell the speed of the movement to determine whether a fall is happening or if, for example, someone is just bending over to wash their feet. It takes these different pieces of information, along with changes in breathing – because when a fall happens or if someone is having some kind of attack, their breathing rate can change – and it puts all this data together to provide very sophisticated and accurate fall detection.
Gary Barg: I saw the video – it's a very handsome device.
Malcolm Berman: We were trying to think of a solution that we would be excited to share with our parents, not something that would trigger an uncomfortable conversation about wearing a button. It's designed to be minimalist, with just a little bit of color for fun.
Gary Barg: I could see a scenario where you say, "Hey, mom, I got this for my own house and I want you to have one too."
Malcolm Berman: We even hear from potential customers that are buying it in categories we wouldn't have thought of, like, "You know I have small children now starting to use the shower on their own, I just want a little bit of that extra peace of mind.’
Gary Barg: What are caregivers saying to you?
Malcolm Berman: It's been quite amazing to hear things like, "I can get the protection I know they need and also avoid fights with my parents." Which is important, since these conversations with our parents are not something that's always going to be a smooth or pleasant experience. As a result, often parents hide medical issues from their children until they find out that they're okay and they only tell them after. In some ways, it's a Trojan horse. It allows fall protection to come into your house in a way that doesn't create these kinds of issues or fights. And can also open up discussions that may have been brewing in the background as well.
What we're trying to do is create an automatic solution; something where you set it and you don't have to remember about it. It's just there. The percentage of people who are really getting coverage is really low in the area where the majority of falls happen - the bathroom. We are pleased to be able to do it where they don't have to worry about anything or have to pay recurring fees.business.
Gary Barg: How do I get my own Walabot?
Malcolm Berman: Right now, we're selling through Walabot.com. And, in fact, we are having a holiday special of $150 off of the regular $249 cost.