Telecare debut at CES–CloseBy Network

Donna Cusano

This one slipped under our telecare radar…almost. CloseBy Network premiered its remote monitoring telecare system at CES, but not in the SilversSummit/Digital Health ‘tech zones’.   It is multiple sensor-based (motion, contact, pressure [bed and chair] and temperature) and uploads data to create reports and alerts (email and online only–no voice).  Their specs indicate it is ZigBee standard; it is on the Control4 home automation platform so they claim that they can add lighting control, smoke detectors, door locks, alarm buttons, telephone/doorbell notification, temperature control, video and remote monitoring/control of the garage door with no problem.   What’s interesting is that CloseBy is clearly targeting the home market as an alternative to assisted living (where QuietCare once was but is no longer; also WellAWARE, Healthsense) with a one-time cost of $2,799 (monthly monitoring fee is referred to but not disclosed); their release invites home automation dealers already installing Control4.  Release.  Website.  New:  CES booth video.  Intro video (well done testimonials, but need a demo).