Sofihub smart sensor monitoring for seniors

Sofihub

Sofihub is a 4G connected, monthly subscription, movement sensor based, monitoring system.

To understand Sofihub, you need to understand a little about its smarts. Those include eight PIR (Passive infrared) sensors placed around the home connected to a smart base station which can initiate several pre-programmed actions.

Sensor placement is the key to Sofihub’s effectiveness. The sensors are all labeled to show the best placement.

Sofihub’s eight sensors to cover eight rooms (including the medicine cupboard).

The sensors track your movement – or lack thereof – around your home. It is for single occupancy.

The sensors default is 360° motion, but you can fit a pet cover (180°) or a transit cover (think door sensor/tripwire).

Alerts

If you go to the toilet and don’t come out in a programmed time, Sofihub will assume you have an issue and attempt to get some action. Similarly, if you go to bed, you should trip the sensor as you exit the bedroom later. While it is not a fall detector, it can detect a lack of movement.

Actions

Let’s say that you spend the majority of time in your favourite recliner chair in the lounge room. That is where the Sofihub should be – near enough to be able to hear it and press the white ‘I am OK’ button on top.

But the real power lies in the AI portal that you/the carer customises to the resident.

  • Greetings
  • Calendar event reminders like birthdays
  • Medication time reminders
  • Hydration or eating reminders
  • Doctors or other appointment reminders
  • Text to voice messages (pre-recorded)
  • And many more
Sofihub reminders

The portal also develops a timeline of activities that can help to define the messages. The carer/s access the portal via a browser and the Sofihub website – it is not limited to access from an app.

Sofihub behaviour

If there is an unanswered alert

Being 4G (not internet-based), it can call a carer/s and play a pre-recorded message.

Sofihub

Tech Stuff

  • 230 (H) x 95 (square)mm
  • Power is via a 6V/2.8A plug pack (240V power needed close by)
  • 4G is via a built-in sim accessing the Telstra or Optus networks (so it should have good Australia-wide coverage)
  • Can use the internet and a home Wi-Fi network and fall back to 3/4G
  • Speaker can reach 105dB (very loud but there is a manual volume knob on the front)
  • Sensors use two disposable CR123A lithium batteries (about $20 for a six-pack from Jaycar) or $10 each from Woolworths. Be careful with placement – you will have to change them (no duration specified but assume annually). The sensors attach via Velcro strips.
Sofihub

Cost

Website here

  • Sofihub and eight sensors $1199 plus $25 per month for 4G sim
  • Beacon pendant (not reviewed) $299 plus $25 for 4G sim
  • Sofihub and Beacon $1498 plus $40 per month for 4G sim

If you cannot afford the upfront payment, you can elect to purchase on 12/24/36 month plans.

GadgetGuy’s take – Sofihub provides carers with location-awareness

While there are alternatives like personal alarms (or the Sofihub Beacon) including setting up Wi-Fi motion detectors and Google Assistant, this offers plug and play simplicity. Although you could set up both and have an independent camera and motion detector (requires internet).

D-Link Smart DIY Security Kit

But Sofihub does not rely on the vagaries of the internet. That is at least a $60 per month cost in its own right.

It has an HDMI Port on the rear that, to a techie like me, means it should be connectable to a screen or soundbar(not tested and no mention of the ports use anywhere). I suspect a model with remote cameras would be ideal some (privacy issues aside), and a speakerphone would be a welcome addition.

We won’t rate it as we really can’t test it fully, but it appears very well made and conceived. And if it can help people to remain in their own home for longer, then it is worth every dollar.

https://youtu.be/-yFdc5TLfyU