Current Projects (Selected List)

Funder: AGE-WELL Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE). 2023 Catalyst Funding Program in Healthy Aging

Principal investigator: Dr. Lili Liu (University of Waterloo)

Co-Principal investigator: Dr. Antonio Miguel Cruz (University of Alberta)

PEAR lab research theme: Design and development of information and communication technologies-based platforms and use of data analytics.

The goal of this project is to examine the acceptance and usability of GuardIO - Family Care, mobile application. It supports persons with cognitive impairment and their care partners to develop risk mitigation strategies through understanding the patterns of their mobility by leveraging a cloud-based telematics platform licensed by Health Canada. This enables the care partners to receive timely care and support. This Health Canada-licensed app is developed by WeTraq and available on app stores and SunLife Lumino Health marketplace. It combines GPS and WiFi to provide real-time location monitoring and safety alerts. It does not require an additional device other than one’s personal smartphone. We will use machine learning-driven analytics to describe mobility patterns of participants with dementia and without dementia (care partners). This information can be used to identify changes in mobility to inform decisions about personalized care and support services. Increasing prevalence of dementia in Canada calls for strategies like GuardIO to address risks of getting lost and going missing, while supporting the health and wellbeing of persons aging in place.

Project aims:

1. Determine the acceptance and usability of the GuardIO mobile application among people living with mild cognitive impairment or dementia and their care partners

2. Evaluate the ability of GuardIO data loggers to distinguish older adults with dementia from care partners without dementia using machine learning analyses.

Funder: AGE-WELL Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE)

Principal investigator: Dr. Antonio Miguel Cruz (University of Alberta)

PEAR lab research theme: Acceptance, adoption, and usability of rehabilitation, digital and healthcare technologies.

Despite the potential of locator devices to mitigate the risk of getting lost among persons living with dementia, no standardized approach exists to assess their acceptance and usability. The development of technology acceptance and usability questionnaires have the potential to help persons living with dementia and their care partners make informed decisions when adopting a locator device to mitigate the risk of getting lost.

Project aims:

1. To develop and validate a usability scale for technologies, specifically, locator devices.

Infographic: Project datasheet

Funder: Glenrose Rehabilitation Research, Innovation, and Technology Hub - Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital

Principal investigator: Dr. Antonio Miguel Cruz (University of Alberta)

Co-investigators: Dr. Adriana Maria Rios Rincon (University of Alberta)

PEAR lab research theme: Design and development of information and communication technologies-based platforms and use of data analytics.

The literature on play consistently asserts that play is critical for children’s development. Play is an ideal way for all children to discover the world and learn through practice with different objects and experiences. The literature in the field of rehabilitation is consistent regarding children with disabilities having difficulties engaging in play. Robots showed the potential to enhance engagement in the free play of children with disabilities. However, available robots are either too expensive or they are commercially available robots which have to be adapted or specially programmed to be used for or by children with disabilities. The challenge consists in developing affordable robots that allow children with severe motor impairment to interact with and perform the activities they want to do.  

Project aims:

1. To equip the robotic toy  with sensors in order to implement the hide and seek and tag games;

2. To develop a special remote control as the interface to be used for children with disabilities;

3. To develop an Android-based app for parents, teachers, or therapists to set up the robot features (e.g., distance, rotation angles, remote control selection method etc.), activities and games