Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1496500
n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | A p r i l 2 0 2 3 | n e w h a v e n B I Z 7 Building Ideas That Work... Contact us at 860.482.7613 or visit us at BorghesiBuilding.com 2155 East Main Street Torrington, Connecticut 06790 © 2011 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Butler Manufacturing ™ is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. Whether you are a manufacturer or distributor, Borghesi Building & Engineering Co., Inc. will guide you to provide the best solution for your facility. Providing quality and reliability with design and energy efficient construction. With over 80 years of experience our processes will help your dream to be realized. ATLANTIC STAR NAPOLI FOODS WHOLE FOODS Gregg said. "is is not FallCall, which downloads on devices already owned, is engaging and simple to use." e flagship app, called FallCall Detect, contains an algorithm Gregg and his team developed that can differentiate between the severity of falls, and contacts different tiers of help based on severity. e research team analyzed thousands of data points of mannequin and human falls in older adults to develop the technology. As a result, FallCall Lite was launched in 2018 and allowed Gregg to bring the first electronic personal emergency response system with central monitoring to the Apple Watch. Gregg said the technology helps reduce unneces- sary ambulance trips to the hospital. "Specifically, falls from sitting will contact care- givers only, and falls from standing will contact caregivers and emergency monitoring," Gregg said. "Given that there is so much variability in lifestyles as we age, we are building artificial intelligence that understands movement patterns and personalizes notifications to reduce fall risk." To date, Gregg said FallCall's technology has been integrated in the U.S. and Australia. His aim is to expand around the world. While Gregg declined to disclose annual revenues, he said FallCall has gained legions of users. "Although our app runs on popular wearables, some people still like medical alert buttons," Gregg said. "rough global partnerships, we have integrat- ed jewelry quality, Bluetooth-based medical alerts into FallCall. We strive to be the leader in non-in- vasive safety that is there when needed and invisible when not." As FallCall Lite gained a following, Gregg said the team forged ahead with integrating its "smart fall de- tection" algorithm on the newer and more powerful Apple Watches that hit the market. FallCall Detect was launched in 2021. Gregg and his five employees are currently work- ing on AI that aims to predict falls based on abnor- mal ambulation and sleep. "I wanted to build something specifically for this population that can detect falls and eventually predict fall risk through AI," Gregg said. "FallCall ensures that caregivers are engaged the moment that a po- tential injury is sensed. Outside of these populations, lone workers, students and even domestic violence victims are users of our system." Gregg said FallCall was able to get off the ground with funding by himself, family and friends. His idea also landed $150,000 in seed money from Connecticut Innovations, a leading source of financ- ing and ongoing support for the state's innovative, growing companies. FallCall's app is downloadable for free and can be upgraded to a monthly, central monitoring service ($14.99), and ($19.99) for a Bluetooth-compatible jewelry pendant. One of the product's users, Don Shaw, an 84-year old resident of Playa Del Rey, Calif., said he couldn't be happier to have FallCall part of his daily life. "I am healthy and active, but both I and those who care about me recognize that could change in a mo- ment," Shaw said. "I have used a medical alarm device for some time, but it was expensive, required me to wear an ugly pendant, was less than reliable and did not provide 24/7 coverage in all areas and situations." Shaw switched to FallCall in 2018 because of the ease of use on both his iPhone and smartwatch. He also liked how he could trigger the system by saying "Hey Siri" or by tapping his watch or phone. Shaw hasn't experienced any falls, but he is glad he's armed with the protection he needs should it ever happen. "Bottom line is better protection at half the cost," Shaw added. "Dr. Gregg and his team seem to be always working to improve the system and to add new features. I and the people who care about me have a feeling of confidence in FallCall and would feel comfortable using it in unrelated non-medical situations like needing police intervention if robbed or threatened." On the global front, FallCall is in the running to win an international award, having been recently selected as the U.S. representative finalist for the MAPFRE (Mutual Association of Owners of Rural Properties in Spain) Fundacion Social Innovation Award in the Silver Economy Category. Gregg said FallCall is competing for a social innovation award grand prize of 40K euros ($43,362) against a finalist from Brazil, Latin America and Europe. e company will present its work in AI to predict fall risk at the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, Spain, at the compe- tition May 24. FallCall is also currently offering a seed round in- vestment opportunity. Gregg said of the $1.5 million goal, so far $500,000 has been raised. n