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Student members demo 'Nexus' watch to detect elopement risk; committee offers feedback and volunteers to test
Summary
Student members presented 'Nexus,' a watch-and-app system designed to detect and alert caregivers to elopement risk for children with autism; features include perimeter alerts, an SOS function and plans for AI-driven behavioral prediction. Committee members suggested haptic/auditory cues and offered to help beta-test.
Student members presented a prototype safety device called 'Nexus' at the CCAC meeting, explaining the device is a watch paired with an app that can alert caregivers when a child breaches a preset perimeter or presses an SOS button. The students said an automatic alert can be triggered when a perimeter is breached and that the system delivers alerts in roughly 120 milliseconds.
The presenters described plans to develop an embedded AI model trained on behavioral data intended to predict elopement risk before perimeter breach. They also showed the device can be adapted to different form factors (wrist, shoe pod or waist attachment) and asked committee members and families to volunteer as beta testers.
Members made practical suggestions during Q&A: add an auditory cue or recorded warning to notify children as they approach a boundary, consider haptic signals, and explore use of heart rate and other biometric signals to improve prediction models. Students who presented said they will share a link to the project and welcomed follow‑up from families that want to trial the device.
The committee encouraged student innovation and agreed to circulate the project link to members who might assist with testing.
