Scientific African (Nov 2023)
Development of a baby cot with temperature and weight monitoring features: Focus on parents with phocomelia and upper limb amputation
Abstract
Caring for an infant is a tough and demanding task that presents various challenges for parents. This is especially true for parents who have physical disabilities, as they face unique obstacles in their caregiving journey. For parents with limited movement in their upper limbs, keeping track of important aspects of their baby's health, like weight and temperature, can be a difficult and exhausting task, necessitating innovative solutions to ensure that these parents can provide the best possible care for their child while also promoting their independence. While previous studies have established technology that enhance baby's comfort and safety in cradles and cots, and in contrast to existing products that may require separate monitoring devices or manual interventions, this work presents a significant shift by focusing on the specific needs of parents with phocomelia and upper limb amputation, to enable them to provide independent and attentive infant care. We developed a voice recognition-controlled smart baby cot equipped with real-time temperature and weight monitoring features, and a liquid-crystal display (LCD) feedback, to assist such parents in predicting their baby's well-being. We conducted both finite element analysis (FEA) and ten experimental performance evaluations on the prototype, with and without a load (baby) to assess the cot's load-bearing capacity across different positions, its sensitivity to household noise, and consistency in temperature and weight reading. Our findings demonstrated consistent load-bearing capability and precise weight and temperature measurements, with an overall standard error of 0.03. The voice activation system also performed effectively in environments with noise levels below 80 dB. This work promotes parental autonomy and has the potential to benefit infants and parents in various contexts, including resource-constrained settings. Additionally, it aligns with the global discourse on inclusive healthcare and technology, contributing to the objectives of Africa's Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.
