Queensland engineering student develops smart clock to help elderly maintain independence after grandfather's fall
Kai Gould, a 20-year-old electrical engineering student, invented MedClock, a smart alarm clock that alerts family members when elderly relatives complete daily tasks, after his grandfather spent nearly two days undiscovered following a fall on his farm. The device allows older people to maintain independence while keeping families informed of their wellbeing, addressing a gap in aged care support as Australia faces growing waitlists. The invention has gained significant traction, with over 8,000 social media engagements, placement in seven pharmacies, and interest from hospitals and retirement villages.
Kai Gould created MedClock after his grandfather Brett, 79, suffered a serious fall at his farm west of Toowoomba that went undetected for nearly two days. The incident highlighted the tension between elderly people's desire for independence and their families' safety concerns. Rather than traditional wearable alert devices that his grandfather rejected, Gould designed a stationary smart clock that displays medication reminders and sends automatic text messages to nominated contacts when buttons are pressed, allowing families to check in without constant phone calls that felt intrusive. The device has resonated widely—Gould received over 8,000 likes and 100 direct inquiries after posting on social media, leading to placement in seven pharmacies, trials at a Sunshine Coast retirement village, and hospital interest. Gould has prioritized affordability and accessibility over investor demands to raise prices, assembling units with his father in their garage. Aged care experts note the device addresses a significant gap, as Australia has over 3,300 medically well elderly people stranded in hospital beds on aged care waitlists, and most older people prefer aging in their communities rather than residential facilities.
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- ABC AustraliaCenter
Grandfather's fall inspires 20yo student's smart clock invention
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