GlobalRnD Enhances Smart Elderly Care with BG22 Bluetooth SoCs
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Meet AnnA – A Smart Elderly Care Solution
AnnA – VNH is the flagship healthcare solution from Poland-based technology leader GlobalRnD, designed to help seniors, people with disabilities, and those with chronic conditions live independently and safely at home. With the rising costs of assisted care and growing demand for alternatives, AnnA offers a modern, privacy-first approach to remote support without the use of invasive cameras or microphones.
The system provides 24/7 monitoring, real-time alerts, and easy caregiver access, addressing common challenges like fall risk, isolation, and caregiver fatigue. It combines several smart components into one seamless solution, including:
- AnnA Watch– A wearable that tracks vital signs (pulse, temperature, SpO₂, movement) and includes an emergency alert feature.
- AnnA Unisensors – Discreet home sensors that monitor environmental conditions (e.g., CO₂, humidity, open doors/windows) without invading privacy.
- GSM Server – A plug-and-play router enabling fast, secure data transmission—no setup hassle.
- AnnA Application– An intuitive platform for caregivers to track health stats, set reminders, and receive alerts in real time.
Before integrating Silicon Labs’ technology, GlobalRnD faced several critical challenges:
- Wireless Connectivity and Battery Life – Ensuring stable, low-power wireless communication between multiple devices in the AnnA system is critical.
- Software Complexity– Managing different processors across various devices required separate firmware, increasing development and maintenance burdens.
- Cost & Operational Efficiency– Procuring different processors for each device led to high costs and logistical inefficiencies.
- Data Privacy – Ensuring high security without relying on invasive sensors like cameras or microphones.
The Challenge
GlobalRnD required a dependable, low-power wireless solution for its Anna – VNH (Virtual Nursing Home) system, designed to deliver continuous elderly care. Coordinating multiple processors across devices added complexity and cost, while maintaining stable connectivity and safeguarding privacy without using invasive sensors posed an ongoing challenge.
The Solution
By adopting Silicon Labs’ BG22 Bluetooth wireless SoC, GlobalRnD simplified development with a single firmware across all devices, reducing operational costs and power consumption. The robust debugging tools enabled a smooth integration process, while the secure architecture ensured high data privacy standards.
The Result
With Silicon Labs’ technology, GlobalRnD reduced development complexity by 50% and extended Anna+ Watch battery life to over two weeks. Faster time-to-market, improved engineer workflows, and an optimized user experience have positioned GlobalRnD as a leader in smart elderly care solutions.
A Unified, Energy-Efficient Platform
The single-chip architecture of Silicon Labs’ BG22 wireless SoC Bluetooth modules made it possible for GlobalRnD to transform its development process. Some of these benefits include a unified codebase across all AnnA devices, seamless development, low operational costs, and enhanced privacy with a design that avoids storing personal data on devices while complying with stringent encryption standards
GlobalRnD discovered Silicon Labs’ solution through their distributor, Computer Controls. The onboarding process was seamless, thanks to well-developed evaluation boards, advanced power optimization tools, and efficient debugging solutions. The team encountered no integration issues, ensuring a hassle-free implementation.
Improved Efficiency, Lower Costs, and Extended Battery Life
Since integrating Silicon Labs’ technology, GlobalRnD has achieved:
- 50% Reduction in Development Complexity – The unified software architecture eliminated the need for multiple programming environments.
- Longer Battery Life – AnnA Watch now operates for over two weeks on a single charge, thanks to optimized power consumption (average 740µA) and other devices as low as 3.2µA average.
- Faster Time-to-Market – Pre-certified Bluetooth modules reduced design complexity and expedited deployment, while comprehensive testing kits and debugging tools accelerated product development cycles.
- Higher Employee Satisfaction– Engineers reported a more intuitive and efficient workflow, reducing stress and increasing productivity.
- Unexpected Benefits – The compact processor effortlessly handled UI graphics and menus without external memory, enhancing the user experience.
The Future of Smart Elderly Care Solutions
“Silicon Labs' BG22, has made it possible for GlobalRnD to enhance our ability to deliver innovative, cost-effective, and privacy-focused elderly care solutions,” said Remigiusz Danych, Director and Co-Founder at GlobalRnD. “Our plans for the future include expanding AI-driven capabilities within AnnA, including gyroscope programming for better motion tracking and predictive analytics.”
With The performance of the BG22, coupled with the simplified development process for Global R&D, Silicon Labs is helping the AnnA system reach new users with its a seamless, energy-efficient, and secure experience, proving that cutting-edge connected health technology can make independent living safer and more accessible.