From Eldercare to Public Safety: How GaitMetrics Is Exploring New Possibilities Through Innovation

About the start-up: GaitMetrics, Dimension X (Cohort 2)

Identifying New Applications for Proven Technology

Innovation often happens when existing technologies are applied to entirely new challenges. For Singapore-based deep-tech start-up GaitMetrics, technology originally developed for eldercare has found potential applications in public safety through Hatch's open innovation ecosystem.

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Founded with a focus on remote monitoring, GaitMetrics developed radio-frequency sensing technology capable of tracking vital signs and detecting falls without requiring wearable devices or cameras. While the solution was initially designed to support seniors and healthcare providers, its underlying capabilities revealed opportunities beyond the healthcare sector. 

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Through Hatch's Dimension X programme, GaitMetrics was introduced to public safety use cases where non-intrusive monitoring could help address operational challenges while preserving privacy. 

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Exploring Public Safety Use Cases Through Pilot Trials

Recognising the dual-use potential of the technology, Hatch brought together GaitMetrics, HTX's Sensemaking and Surveillance Centre of Expertise (S&S CoE), and the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) to explore how the solution could be adapted for correctional environments. 

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Working closely with SPS officers and HTX engineers, GaitMetrics participated in pilot trials to assess the suitability of its sensing technology in prison medical wards and cells. The objective was to explore ways of enabling officers to be alerted to incidents such as falls or irregular heart rates while maintaining the privacy and dignity of inmates.

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The initiative required the start-up to adapt its existing technology to meet the unique operational requirements of highly secured facilities. Unlike commercial healthcare environments, correctional settings introduce different constraints, technical considerations and user needs that demanded close collaboration between innovators and end users. 

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The Role of Collaboration in Innovation

A defining feature of the project was the opportunity for direct engagement between the start-up and frontline users.

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Through Hatch, GaitMetrics gained access to SPS officers who could provide operational insights and feedback throughout the trial process. This enabled the team to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced on the ground and refine its solution accordingly.

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At the same time, HTX engineers worked alongside the start-up to identify technical requirements and explore how the technology could be adapted for public safety applications. This collaborative model helped bridge the gap between emerging technologies and operational needs, allowing ideas to be tested and validated in relevant environments. 

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As GaitMetrics Co-Founder Tuan Tong shared in Hatch's Visionaries of Public Safety campaign, access to operational stakeholders and real-world feedback proved invaluable in helping the team understand the problem space and iterate on its solution.

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Creating Opportunities for Start-ups and End Users

The GaitMetrics journey highlights the importance of creating pathways for start-ups to engage meaningfully with public sector stakeholders.

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For start-ups, access to real operational challenges, technical expertise and user feedback can accelerate learning and help validate new applications for their technologies. For government agencies and end users, innovation partnerships provide opportunities to explore emerging solutions that may address future operational needs. 

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The pilot trials also demonstrate the value of dual-use innovation, where technologies developed for one sector can be adapted and evaluated for another. Insights gained through public safety experimentation have the potential to strengthen the technology's broader capabilities and create new opportunities for future innovation.

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Building Bridges Between Innovation and Impact

As part of Hatch's broader effort to connect the start-up ecosystem with public sector problem owners, the GaitMetrics case study showcases the role that structured innovation programmes can play in fostering meaningful collaboration. 

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While the work with SPS remains at the pilot trial stage, it demonstrates how promising technologies can be evaluated in real-world environments through close partnerships between start-ups, technical experts and end users. More importantly, it highlights the value of bringing diverse stakeholders together to explore new approaches to longstanding challenges. 

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We hope you enjoyed this glimpse into Gaitmetrics' innovation journey. As the team continues to refine its solutions and work towards deployment, we look forward to bringing you future updates and celebrating the milestones that lie ahead.