Beyond Emotion is a pioneer in the field of AI-powered emotion recognition in elder care. The Hamburg-based startup has developed BEJOY, a digital picture frame designed specifically for older adults that features built-in mood and activity detection capabilities. It provides additional safety and an improved quality of life by sending brief updates to the smartphone app used by family members. For example, if the user is away for an extended period or is in a negative mood, family members and caregivers are notified via instant message on their smartphones. The BEJOY app allows family members to send photos that are displayed on the elderly person’s picture frame. To ensure a stable connection, Beyond Emotion uses WhereverSIM’s IoT SIM cards in the picture frames.
"Our BEJOY picture frame combines two solutions in one product," begins Hanne Butting, co-founder of Beyond Emotion GmbH , and continues: "On the one hand, we want to support relatives in caring for older people. On the other hand, we want to give older people who are dependent on this support the opportunity to feel safe at home." The BEJOY digital picture frame, which sends notifications to relatives about the mood and absence of elderly people, is a step in this direction.
The picture frame gets the necessary data connection via an M2M SIM card from WhereverSIM, which is installed in the frame and included in the complete package for end users. “Whether someone works full-time in caregiving or is forced to care for a loved one, the physical and emotional stress is always very taxing. We’re trying to address this with BEJOY and reduce this pressure for caregivers. The automatic notification in the event of a prolonged absence is intended to minimize—or, in the best-case scenario, completely eliminate—the worry of not knowing if something happens,” explains Butting.
At the same time, it gives older adults a sense of security knowing that their inactivity is being reported. “To ensure that these notifications are always delivered via a secure and stable connection, we needed a partner we could rely on. We found that partner in WhereverSIM.”
In addition to the safety aspect, BEJOY promotes the connection and participation of older people and their relatives. "Relatives can send pictures to the photo frame remotely at any time by uploading them to the BEJOY app. Secure remote access to the end device and the data connection is again made possible by the M2M SIM cards used.
Regarding data protection, Butting continues: "Mood recognition takes place on the BEJOY picture frame itself and the data used for this purpose is not stored." This ensures data protection and an ethical approach to AI. "Our vision is to accompany demographic change with our innovative technology and make a positive contribution to society," emphasize Butting and the founding team. "Through continuous research and development, we strive to actively shape demographic change.
We are convinced that our technology will have a significant impact on the future and look forward to continuing to develop innovative solutions and improve the quality of life of people around the world."
