Smart Shoe for Elderly Tracking and Rescue with Piezoelectric Based Energy Harvesting System

The global elderly population is rapidly growing due to low birth rates and advances in medical technology. Most elderly people with dementia experience a loss of cognitive functions, such as thinking, emotional control, and memory, which interferes with their daily life and activities. Our research aims to develop a smart shoe for Elderly Tracking and Rescue System, consisting of two separate operations: the transmission unit and the receiving unit. In the transmission unit, a piezo-electric plate is placed in the shoe, generating energy through foot movement to power the system. This power drives the system to wirelessly transmit real-time location data using the low-energy ESP-Now communication protocol. In the receiving part, transmitted data is stored on a website with a graphical view, displaying location markers for easy visualization. Relatives can monitor the elderly person’s location by clicking on a marker, which opens Google Maps to show the exact position, enabling seamless and interactive tracking. Alerts are sent via SMS every 10 minutes to the elderly person’s relatives using a GSM module, including a Google Maps location link. Additionally, the GSM module ensures on-site data availability during power outages for uninterrupted operation. The system enhances the mobility and independence of elderly individuals through advanced technology, empowering them to move safely and confidently.