Voice activation for hospital bed

[KenMacK]

This is my first post as I only joined today. I was diagnosed in November 2021, but based on my earliest symptoms, I am 5 to 6 years in with this disease. I have the flail arm variant of ALS. My legs, voice and swallowing are all fine but my shoulders, arms and hands are quite weak. My progression has been quite slow but it is now becoming quite difficult to use my hands for many functions.

I was having trouble pushing myself up to get out of bed and so now have a fully electric hospital bed so that I can raise my upper body to help me get out of the bed. I am still able to handle the remote but feel that at some point, I will need to put in some kind of voice activation system. Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

[lgelb]

Linak, which manufactures a lot of the motors used in beds, has an IoT solution that works with Alexa and Google Assistant. Not sure which beds it works with, but a data sheet is available on their site.

I am sure there are others, but that's where I'd start.

 

[Jimi]

I took apart the remote to my lift chair and soldered wires to each button and connected to a couple four channel smart switches. My back rest, head rest, legs and two memory positions can now be controlled via voice , phone or computer. The smart switches are set to move in one second increments so it stays in range of my eye gaze. I thought of and instructed but my wife had to be my hands and do the work. My mom soldered the first remote. We have since found a local electronics shop to solder spare remotes

 

[KenMacK]

Thank you, Igleb, I also found a company called Oratell.

 

[SteveO]

Jimi,
‘I thought you might like this.The idea came from you and it basically does the same thing only the box just plugs into your existing remote plug.
‘It uses an Arduino pr with relays and timers for duration of activation.
It uses the existing plug for the remote so no need for a solder work.
A friend did the programming/installation it’s not my build just my idea b off what you have done.
He will provide the parts list/program to anyone interested in this project.
Thanks for the idea.
‘Steve

 

[Jimi]

good job!

 

[Jimi]

I thought about doing something like that but I wasn't sure how to keep the two programmable memory positions. just seemed easier to use the sonoff switches with Google home already incorporated and use the stock remote for the memory positions. Besides I'm just a machinist not a electrical engineer or computer programmer. The important thing is to have some way to control your position even when completely paralyzed!

 

[SteveO]

I’m no electrical engineer or computer programmer but having spent the last 30 years working in a coal mine ,I’ve learned to adapt and overcome many obstacles. The favorite positions are merely timed activation of each movement , which as you would imagine can get out of sync if any position is changed for comfort. But simply moving the chair back to the start position or neutral position which is flat on the floor, back up and feet down allows the positions to be properly synced
The best feature of this controller is only a single push of the button with out needing to repeatedly push or hold a button

 

[Jimi]

sounds like a great setup. I use the Google home app to program any combination of moves with one click. I also assign a key word to the combination so the caregivers can easily move when needed. On the pc I can use the smartings app, the web or the screen mirror of my phone to control.

 

[Jazyjane]

I too am searching for the best solution. could I have more info please?