Distributed AI (D-AI) is enabling rapid progress on smart IoT systems, homes, and cities. D-AI refers to any AI system with discrete AI subsystems that can be combined to create ensemble-intelligences. We introduce a Privacy-Preserving IoT Cloud (PPIC) optimized to host D-AI applications on the edge.
Today’s smart homes, cities, and infrastructures are often shoe-horned into cloud-computing architectures created for the Web. This is risky: any system that uploads sensitive data into a data warehouse concentrates secrets. We favor a Privacy-Preserving IoT cloud (PPIC) that decentralizes intelligence, running distributed AI (D-AI) logic at the edge while preventing sensitive data from leaking.
The Caspar.ai PPIC is an execution framework that marries edge-computing (computation near or on IoT devices) with a scalable distributed-AI computing model. Our PPIC framework can host third-party apps, supports multitenancy, and offers scalable services for tasks like object storage. We depart from the cloud model by replacing the centralized datacenter with a decentralized graph, so that sensitive data is never uploaded to the cloud. Smart applications run at the edge, enabling better performance, while policy-driven object filtering blocks unauthorized sharing of sensitive information.
The PPIC is a natural fit to D-AI in smart homes, multi-home developments and smart cities. A PPIC can safeguard privacy while providing scalability and cost efficiency. Here, we illustrate this with a range of tasks: operating a light switch, contextualized voice recognition, and fall detection for the elderly. PPIC can also be used at larger scale, for example to support city-wide coordination of emergency responders during a weather or wildfire emergency, but this paper focuses on functionality already in active use.
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The senior living business is currently experiencing several pain points that have been heightened by the pandemic, including:
* Lower occupancy in apartments
* Harder to find & retain qualified staff
* Continuing isolation of residents
* Manage expenses in light of declining revenue
* Ability to reengage family members of residents
What will be the source of pain relief?
MarketWatch, May 4, 2021. Caspar.AI uses the whole home as a sensor – already existing elements like sensors on switches and appliances. From automated control of lights, shades and temperature to more complex tasks such as fall detection, the Caspar system works without cameras and without “wearables” such as resident pendants.
At the recent Ziegler LeadingAge CFO Workshop, nearly 200 individuals attended a breakout session on making smart technology investments and strategic technology adoption. Eight percent of attendees noted an increase in technology spending over the past year. They forecast a continuing increase in the importance of technology in the senior living space.
Forbes, March 1, 2021. We have seen a rapid increase in the adoption of technology by Americans over the age of 65, and as prospects seek retirement communities, they’ll look for those that offer the latest technology, giving them comfort and peace of mind. Developers, owners and managers of communities need to be ready to answer the demand.
In his recent Senior Housing News feature story on CapEx spending in retirement housing, Chuck Sudo noted an increased focus on technology as one area where owners and developers are likely to spend more CapEx dollars. The pandemic has uncovered the industry-wide need to maintain resident service and care levels during times when face-to-face contact is curtailed or limited.
The Well is a multi-family apartment community in Las Vegas, NV and is owned by Greystar Real Estate. Residents of The Well enjoy the conveniences and enhancements that Caspar.AI brings to their apartments. In addition to resident luxury and management efficiency, Caspar features contribute to increased lease-up velocity for Greystar.
Caspar.AI is currently featured in a White Paper from Senior Housing news. This document presents how Caspar.AI delivers resident safety, wellness and comfort while providing communities with a suite of AI management tools. Touch-free technology turns the resident apartment into a caregiver.
Joe Anderson is a senior industry veteran who has worked for a variety of senior living organizations, including HumanGood. He most recently served as president of Seniority, Inc.
“I come from a senior living background. In senior housing, tenants care about their safety and comfort. They and their family need to know that they are cared for. Communities that focus on this attract more residents and get higher rent.” – Dr. Ashutosh Saxena, Co-Founder & CEO, Caspar.AI
Caspar.AI’s light automation helps simplify the lives of seniors. Our technology provides seniors with convenience and safety – reducing the risk of falling when they get up at night to use the bathroom.
Caspar.AI uses artificial intelligence to adjust curtains automatically to create the optimal environment and ambiance. The AI-powered window coverings help save energy, enable privacy, and enhance convenience.
Smart lighting enables you to change the brightness, intensity, and color of the lights. With Caspar.AI’s lighting designed for seniors, you can avoid sundown effects and increase motivation.
Caspar.AI’s automated window shades enhance convenience, safety, comfort, and beauty for residents. Manually opening and closing shades can be a pain. With Caspar.AI, curtains automatically work around residents’ schedules.
Distributed AI (D-AI) is enabling rapid progress on smart IoT systems, homes, and cities. D-AI refers to any AI system with discrete AI subsystems that can be combined to create ensemble-intelligences. We introduce a Privacy-Preserving IoT Cloud (PPIC) optimized to host D-AI applications on the edge.
Chefs and food enthusiasts typically have a timer in the kitchen. However, with Caspar.AI, you do not need to spend time looking for that timer.
COVID-19 has motivated an increase in how much people wash their hands and reduced the rate at which they touch physical surfaces without gloves. And after touching a solid surface, they disinfect it. Caspar.AI’s automation technology helps people avoid touching possibly infected surfaces (e.g., switch).
Covid has exposed just how vulnerable seniors are who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Caspar.AI’s vision is to fundamentally change how seniors are in their homes and how assisted living facilities are run.
The question we’ve been talking about centers on the proper way to create a privacy-preserving IoT infrastructure.
National Science Foundation (NSF) awards $337,432 to one of Caspar.AI’s university partners (University of Virginia) for enhancing the performance, comfort and health of occupants in smart buildings.
“The network is the computer.”
That’s the old Sun Microsystems slogan coined by Sun computer scientist and researcher John Gage. The slogan predated cloud computing, but it’s a great way to envision the cloud idea.
In 1995, I remember “building your own computer” was fashionable. My neighbor built one and he instantly became the most popular kid in the area.