17: Facebook Status: Maybe Not Dead

What this episode covers

Elizabeth Brenner, who works at Fitbit, and host Elecia White discuss designing a non-invasive monitoring device for elderly people living alone, using a story about 87-year-old Dolores as a case study. They evaluate existing solutions like Life Alert and Lifeline, noting their high cost and lack of appeal, and propose a new gadget using an Electric Imp, Wi-Fi, and a cute form factor (like a stuffed animal) to encourage daily interaction. The conversation covers technical decisions regarding connectivity (Wi-Fi vs. Bluetooth Low Energy), battery life, and the critical need for robust fail-safes to handle device failure or server outages. They also discuss business model considerations, suggesting a low-cost, non-profit-oriented approach targeting the children of the elderly rather than the seniors themselves.