Move Wave: Gesture and Motion Activated System for Disabled Individuals

One of the pressings but often overlooked issues in our society is the provision of adequate care and services for elderly individuals, particularly those who reside in care facilities. Many elderly people, especially those suffering from conditions such as stroke or paralysis, face significant challenges in communicating with their caregivers and loved ones. This study addresses these communication barriers by developing a device that enables nonverbal individuals to send messages effortlessly, fostering better engagement with those around them. The proposed device uses hand gestures to trigger specific phrases, which are fully customizable to suit the user’s unique needs and preferences. This innovation allows users to express themselves without the need for spoken words. At its core, the device is built around the ESP32 microcontroller, a cost-effective and versatile hardware component that has become a cornerstone in the development of assistive technologies. The testing revealed that the device achieved an average accuracy score of 87.66%. Looking ahead, potential future improvements include the integration of a standalone application to enhance usability and accessibility, ensuring that the device continues to meet the evolving needs of its users and contributes to a more inclusive and supportive care environment.