Presenting Kuopio Health members: QUMEA
QUMEA revolutionizes healthcare with radar technology
QUMEA is a digital mobility monitoring system that enhances patient safety in healthcare institutions. Utilizing a unique system consisting of a radar sensor and intelligent, user-friendly software, QUMEA continuously monitors patients’ movements, automatically triggering alerts based on each individual’s needs. What sets the company apart is its ability to deliver real-time insights without the need for cameras, cables, or wearables, providing a non-intrusive solution for preventing conditions such as falls, pressure ulcers etc.
QUMEA’s team, who had experience with optical sensors in public spaces like airports, recognized the need for a more privacy-centric solution. The radar system allows caregivers to respond immediately to alerts, trusting the AI-driven analysis to detect potential risk situations like falls or mobility issues. Studies show that the company’s system has over 70% success rate in fall prevention. This technology enables early intervention without the need for constant visual monitoring, making it more efficient than camera-based systems. Further, QUMEA’s unique radar technology solutions comply with the principle of proportionality according to the General Data Protection Regulation since there is no risk of unlawful processing of personal data, as the necessary data minimization or data avoidance is ensured.
A company built on privacy and care
“One of the core advantages of QUMEA’s system is its non-intrusive nature. Traditional solutions, such as wearable wristbands or emergency pull cords, can fail in critical moments—like when a patient passes out or is unable to reach the device. By contrast, a radar sensor detects movements and falls without requiring any action from the patient. This is particularly important in elderly care or in patients with cognitive impairment, where patients may struggle to use wearable technology effectively. Moreover, many wearable devices are prone to false alarms or rely on algorithms that don’t always perform accurately. The company’s radar-based system avoids these pitfalls by delivering reliable, passive monitoring that supports patients and caregivers”, explains Alexander von Arb, Business Development from QUMEA.
QUMEA’s commitment to privacy aligns with Finnish values, particularly the emphasis on prevention and data security. As data protection becomes a growing concern worldwide, QUMEA is leading the change in providing innovative healthcare solutions that respect patient privacy. They also represent a forward-thinking approach to healthcare technology, blending innovation with ethical considerations. Their system not only improves patient outcomes but also transforms how institutions manage patient safety, making them a vital member of Kuopio Health.
Challenges in developing QUMEA’s technology
“Our journey in developing technology has been fraught with challenges, especially in differentiating between falls and everyday movements. Unlike cameras, which capture visual data, radar sensors create data clouds that require interpretation. This means that the system has to be trained to recognize a wide variety of falls—from sliding off a chair to sudden, fast collapses, and furthermore in recognizing a wider range of movement patterns. This task is complicated by the fact that each patient is unique, making it difficult for the system to generalize without gathering a vast amount of data. Training the system to recognize different types of falls required a considerable investment in research and development and continuous refinement of the algorithms”, says von Arb.
One of the key strategies for overcoming these struggles has been close collaboration with research institutions, healthcare providers, and municipalities. For instance, QUMEA has partnered with the city of Helsinki to adapt its product to the specific needs of the Finnish healthcare system. While these partnerships have provided essential feedback and data, they have also allowed QUMEA to align its technology with local regulations and care practices.
The future of QUMEA
“One of the more philosophical challenges we face is navigating the broader societal issues surrounding elderly care. While technology offers a way to monitor and prevent falls, we recognize that technology alone may not solve the deeper issues of how societies care for their aging populations. The decline in communal living, where families once cared for elderly relatives within the home, has left many older adults more isolated. This isolation, combined with the lack of community involvement, has made patient safety like fall prevention more critical than ever”, von Arb continues.
At the same time, the company is also exploring other potential applications for its radar technology for example, in psychiatry, the technology’s ability to detect minor changes in behavior could be used to monitor conditions like depression or other mental health issues. Radar is also a good means to analyze sleep, respiration, and gait (movement) where the company is conducting several research projects at the moment.
Looking ahead, QUMEA sees potential to expand its technology into home care environments, although this is not yet a primary focus. The ability to monitor patients as they move between their bed and bathroom, for example, could help prevent falls in home settings, enabling elderly individuals to stay in their homes longer while reducing the burden on caregivers. However, the challenges of differentiating between household members and pets in such settings will require further technological advances and research.
Continuous learning through partnerships
Partnerships with clinics and hospitals have been crucial. These institutions not only provide real-world environments to test the technology but also offer valuable feedback on how to improve it.
QUMEA’s approach has also involved working with local and international partners. These partnerships have allowed the integration of QUMEA’s system with nurse call systems, creating a more holistic approach to patient care. Collaboration with research institutions, particularly in Switzerland, has been another essential component, helping QUMEA refine its algorithms and gain insights into different types of falls and incidents.
“On joining Kuopio Health, was influenced by positive interactions with Development Manager Kimmo Solehmainen at the Radical Health Festival, as well as a sense of alignment with the ecosystem’s values of collaboration and innovation. I appreciate how Kuopio Health has created a tightly-knit ecosystem that fosters cooperation and innovation. I’m also optimistic about future research partnership possibilities, particularly with the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital and hope to generate success stories through collaboration in the region. The decision to join Kuopio Health was also driven by the structure of the organization, where members buy shares and become active participants in the ecosystem. This model creates motivation and a sense of ownership among members”, ends von Arb.