Contactless radar-based support in psychiatry practices

Patients of psychiatric clinics, especially those at risk of suicidality, severe confusion, or psychosis are still mainly monitored through manual observation by nursing staff. This is intensive work, creates high pressure on already strained healthcare professionals, and can sometimes lead to restrictive measures such as seclusion. Patients and staff alike would therefore benefit from safer, less invasive approaches to monitoring their wellbeing.
This project investigates the potential of contactless radar technology to recognize unusual or risky behaviors in psychiatric settings. Radar sensors can unobtrusively detect activity patterns such as sudden falls, pacing, restlessness, or other anomalies linked to increased risk. Unlike cameras, radar does not record privacy-sensitive images. Unlike wearable devices, it does not require patients to carry or interact with equipment.
The main objective of the project is to conduct a comprehensive feasibility pilot of our radar technology in realistic settings. First, we will map the current use of technological monitoring systems in mental healthcare facilities at our partner GGZ-NHN (Noord Holland Noord), analyzing shortcomings of current solutions as well as wishes and requirements of the different stakeholders. Second, we will conduct the actual pilot study mounting radar sensors designed by partner SME Dopplium in dedicated mock-up rooms at GGZ-NHN that mimic realistic patient rooms with respect to size and furnishing. The radar systems and related classification algorithms based on machine learning will be then tested with healthy volunteers simulating both everyday activities (e.g. getting up, walking around, returning to bed) and potentially dangerous situations (e.g. falls, pacing, agitation, attempts of self-harm).
By combining expertise in psychiatry and radar engineering, this project aims to show how radar can support safer and more humane psychiatric care. The long-term vision is to develop smart monitoring systems that help prevent crises, reduce coercion, and alleviate the workload of healthcare staff.