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Caitlin Little gives feedback to Not Impossible’s head of strategy, Joe Babarsky, on the design of software being
developed to address her memory disorder, while her mother looks on.
operate on a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch, receives information transmitted in real
time over the internet from a variety of sensors (visual, audio, and touch, for now) in
proximity to Caitlin or embedded in her clothes.
The data from the sensors is integrated along with other information coming from
facial- and speaker-recognition software embedded in the app to guide Caitlin through
the mundane moments of life we all take for granted. For example, a motion sensor
captures her waking up in the morning and alerts her smartphone or other mobile device
to buzz, prompting her to log on to the app.
“The app may tell her she needs time to brush her teeth for two minutes,” says
Marathay. “Once done, she may be guided to take a shower, and, after that, to get
dressed for the day. Images on the app can show some clothes she’s recently worn to
allow her to choose something different, if she pleases.”
Once she’s dressed, the app provides options for breakfast and related tutorials, scrambling
some eggs, for instance. Caitlin’s appointments for the day are provided, along with relevant
transportation information. “Haptics [touch] sensors in her shoes direct the way to the bus
or train location, vibrating in her left shoe when she needs to turn left and in her right shoe
to turn right, with the app explaining what these vibrations mean,” Marathay says.
On the way, the app’s voice and facial recognition features may alert her to the
presence of a friend or acquaintance, and provide the context of the relationship. “Our
hope is the repetition of all this information will result in some memory improvements,
PHOTO COURTESY OF NOT IMPOSSIBLE LABS