Japan company developing sensors for seniors

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s top telecoms company is developing a simple wristwatch-like device to monitor the well-being of the elderly.

The wearable sensor from Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp., shown this week, is part of a growing effort to keep tabs on the old in a nation whose population is aging faster than anywhere else.

The device, worn like a watch, has a built-in camera, microphone and accelerometer, which measure the pace and direction of hand moves, to discern whether wearers are brushing their teeth, vacuuming or making coffee.