Networking provider ADTRAN has partnered with Ting Internet on a smart homes project in Caroll County, Maryland. With ADTRAN technology, Ting Internet is bringing gigabit connectivity to homes in the Caroll County area. In addition to the gigabit service rollout, Ting is working with the Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory (MAGIC) to connect two smart homes for individuals with disabilities.
The two residential homes for adults with intellectual disabilities will be connected through a variety of sensors to an intelligent integration platform for data gathering and monitoring. For patients with chronic health conditions, the technology will allow for daily monitoring of vital signs that can be securely uploaded to their primary care physician. If needed, a secure connection across the network supports a video-enabled physician visit without the patient needing to leave their home. The system also provides administrative support to staff while still performing typical smart home functions with mechanical system and appliance management.
Project organizers will gather data with the aim of decreasing emergency room visits, unplanned medical appointments and staff time spent on non-scheduled medical care.
The homes will be connected over the Westminster, Maryland Gigbit Fiber Network.
“As we continue to expand our service area, having the opportunity to witness first-hand how gigabit speeds can impact an individual’s quality of life in every aspect has been eye-opening,” said Adam Eisner, VP of networks at Ting Internet said in an interview with CivSource.
Project organizers have envisioned several scenarios where the smart home technology can be used to help residents. In one example, a resident falls asleep in front of the TV, sensors near the TV will alert health aids if that person hasn’t moved in two hours just so that someone will check on them and make sure everything is okay. In another, a resident falls in the middle of the night – sensors detect that the resident is no longer in bed at an odd time of night and will alert aids to go check on the situation.
Eisner adds that alongside the MAGIC homes project, the company has put staff in the region and plans to continue expanding its gigabit service area over the near term. “We think this is just the beginning in terms of projects that can be enabled with gigabit service,” he said. “We are always on the lookout for new ways that we can partner with organizations to try out innovative deployments.”
A website describing the MAGIC homes project is available here.
