13-Year-Old Invents Innovative Fall Detection Technology to Help His Grandma and Seniors Nationwide
At just 13 years old, Southern California eighth grader Kevin Tang is making waves in the fields of science and eldercare with a groundbreaking invention designed to keep seniors safe from dangerous falls. His creation, called FallGuard, recently earned him the prestigious title of "America’s Top Young Scientist" along with a $25,000 prize, highlighting the potential impact of his work on senior safety.
Inspired by a Family Tragedy
Kevin’s motivation for developing FallGuard stems from a personal and frightening experience. About five years ago, his grandmother, who lives with his family, suffered a serious fall at home. The incident went unnoticed for a prolonged period, and by the time emergency services arrived, his grandmother had sustained permanent brain damage. "It was really scary," Kevin recalled.
This event, coupled with witnessing the fall of a friend’s grandfather a few years later, made Kevin acutely aware of how common and perilous falls among older adults can be. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of injury for adults aged 65 and older. Each year, more than 14 million older adults—about one in four—experience a fall, resulting in approximately one million hospitalizations. These falls are also the most frequent cause of traumatic brain injuries among seniors.
How FallGuard Works
Unlike traditional fall detection devices such as Life Alert that seniors wear on their necks, wrists, or pockets, FallGuard is a non-wearable solution that relies on strategically placed cameras throughout the home. These cameras connect to a small computer that continuously monitors the user’s movements for signs of a fall.
Kevin developed an advanced algorithm that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze visual data, detecting the position of the shoulder and elbow joints to determine when a fall has occurred. Remarkably, he built this algorithm himself, fine-tuning it to work during both day and night times to ensure comprehensive monitoring.
Mark Gilbertson, Kevin’s mentor through the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, praised the technical sophistication of the invention: “He’s detecting your shoulder position, your elbow joint using some AI algorithms, and then built his own algorithm on top of that to determine when you fall over.”
Affordable, Reliable, and User-Friendly
One of the key advantages of FallGuard is that it does not require users to wear a device or remember to charge it—a common issue with other fall detection technologies. Kevin pointed out that his friend’s grandfather had a fall detection watch but forgot to charge it before his fall, leading to delayed assistance.
FallGuard operates continuously without subscriptions, enhancing reliability and accessibility. Currently, the device costs about $90 in materials, but Kevin is working to reduce production costs to around $30 by switching to different computer components. Since winning the national science competition, at least one security camera company has expressed interest, and many families have reached out to Kevin to acquire the device.
From Prototype to Real Homes
Kevin’s family already has FallGuard installed in their home, and another family is using the technology as well. With over 10 other families on a waiting list, Kevin hopes to expand availability and keep many seniors safer in their own homes.
Kevin’s father, Yang Tang, emphasized the broad need for the invention: “We definitely will make this product to help all the families worried about their aging parents.”
A Promising Future in Science and Senior Care
Kevin Tang’s FallGuard exemplifies how youthful ingenuity combined with passion and technical skill can lead to innovations that address real-world problems. As he continues refining his invention and working to make it widely affordable, Kevin is poised to become a key figure in eldercare technology, offering peace of mind to families and potentially saving countless lives.
Madeline Mitchell covers women and the caregiving economy for USA TODAY. She can be reached at memitchell@usatoday.com and on X at @maddiemitch_. The reporting for this story is supported by partnerships with Pivotal and Journalism Funding Partners.
