What it does
This smart mattress prevents pressure ulcers by detecting high-risk areas and gently adjusting posture via air cells and vibrations. Using sensors and AI, it reduces manual repositioning, eases caregiver workload, and enables proactive, intelligent care.
Your inspiration
We were struck by how common and serious pressure ulcers are among elderly and immobile patients. Current prevention relies heavily on manual repositioning, which is labor-intensive and inconsistent, especially at night. The idea came from observing repetitive care routines in hospitals and eldercare. We envisioned a solution that could work continuously and intelligently, even without caregivers—using smart sensing and pneumatic systems to gently adjust posture without waking the user. It prevents injury while preserving comfort and dignity.
How it works
This smart mattress helps prevent pressure sores—painful injuries from staying in one position too long, common in elderly or bedridden people. A thin sensor layer monitors body weight distribution continuously. When pressure on one area lasts too long, the system gently responds by inflating or deflating air pockets in different zones, slightly shifting the person’s position to relieve pressure without waking them. A small device on the mattress collects data, makes decisions with built-in logic, and tracks activity. It can also alert caregivers via an app if needed. The mattress quietly protects the user, reducing manual care and enhancing comfort and safety.
Design process
Our design process was driven by research, simulation, and continuous refinement. We began with a clear problem: pressure ulcers are common, painful, and preventable—but current solutions are either too passive or too disruptive. We started by mapping out real-world care routines and failure points, then proposed an initial system combining posture sensing, air-based micro-adjustments, and data-driven decision-making. From there, we went through multiple conceptual iterations: First version focused on basic pressure detection and alerting, but lacked intervention. Second iteration introduced pneumatic modules to allow posture changes, raising concerns about comfort and timing. Third version refined the response logic: using AI-based risk evaluation and gentle vibration as low-impact early intervention. Along the way, we continuously adjusted the system layout, sensing strategy, and user flow to better match real-world caregiving scenarios. Although we haven't built a physical prototype yet, we’ve developed a complete system model and validated its core functions through theoretical testing, ergonomic analysis, and component feasibility reviews. The result is a design that's practical, scalable, and ready for future prototyping.
How it is different
Unlike traditional pressure-relief systems that use fixed timing or large movements, our design offers non-intrusive, intelligent prevention. It excels in three ways: Micro-adjustments, not forced repositioning — subtle air cell shifts and gentle vibrations encourage natural posture changes without waking the user. AI-powered prediction — it evaluates multiple risk factors in real time, enabling early intervention before damage occurs, rather than just reacting to high risk. Comfort and care integration — soft materials, quiet operation, breathable layers combined with smart feedback, caregiver alerts, and data tracking provide a holistic solution for clinical and home use. This approach turns passive monitoring into proactive care, protecting patients quietly while easing caregiver burden.
Future plans
We plan to develop this smart mattress from concept to a working prototype for clinical and home trials. Next steps: Prototype development with soft sensors, quiet air cells, and AI control to validate real-time monitoring and adjustments. User testing with caregivers and patients to assess comfort and usability. Expand software with mobile/web dashboards for posture data, alerts, and care customization. Use machine learning to personalize interventions based on patient needs. Ultimately, we aim for modular products supporting predictive, personalized care for immobile patients.
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