- Seniors from the Landsberg residence in Lingolsheim near Strasbourg are taking part in an experiment.
- For a month, the volunteers will wear a thermal watch. Its goal ? It will constantly measure their temperature and start ringing in the event of a sudden rise.
- This device could be useful in periods of heat wave or ... of the spread of Covid-19.
A small white dial without screen placed on a black velcro strap. From Monday, this small object will equip senior volunteers at the Landsberg residence in Lingolsheim, near Strasbourg. This “thermal watch” will be offered to them free of charge for one month, during an experiment.
The goal ? Constantly measure their body temperature and prevent a possible sudden rise. Whether it is linked to the heat or to a virus ... like the Covid-19. "There is a temperature measurement every minute, without sending a wave or anything", details David-Antoine Malinas, the international development manager of Biodata Bank, the Japanese start-up at the origin. of the product. This has already been tested in 2019 in the building sector, "in countries like Qatar, the United States or Turkmenistan". “We worked with Bouygues to see how the workers reacted to the heat,” he explains.
In the event of an increase "greater than 1 ° C", an alarm is triggered. A 90-decibel melody meant to attract the attention of the person concerned. "It is then up to her to take the necessary measures, such as pouring herself a glass of water, going in the shade or taking a shower", explains David-Antoine Malinas, who expects a lot from these tests carried out with help from the elderly.
"It can help us"
The company that employs him has already "sold 100,000 thermal watches last year" thanks to the construction industry and would now like to expand its customer base. This will depend on the feedback from this experiment as well as that carried out in the same type of establishment in Mulhouse.
"I am convinced that it can help us fight against the dramatic consequences of dehydration", estimates Geneviève Zehner, head of the municipal social action center of Lingolsheim, which works in close relation with the autonomy residence managed by the association. Arpale. “Older people often lose their sense of thirst and their health can deteriorate,” she says. Ultimately, the watch could be connected to software and alert staff to a problem. "
Residents not all convinced
This is not the case here and residents, who manage on their own in a 36 m² apartment, have already become afraid of the device. "Several in their twenties who came to the information meeting did not assimilate everything," continues Geneviève Zehner. Some told me that it was going to bother them, others asked how much it cost when it is free… We will have to explain it all again but I think a dozen will participate. "
They will therefore have the equipment throughout the month of August, with just one instruction: remove it in case of contact with water. Not at night. "The temperature can also increase when you sleep, if for example a fan or the air conditioning stops", specifies David-Antoine Malinas, who should give details on the experiment in October. “We need user feedback in order to enter the market with good references,” he continues. We have the technology but not the field knowledge. All this will allow us to adapt our product. And maybe to save lives.
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- Strasbourg
- Health
- Heat wave
- Covid 19
- Coronavirus