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The prevalence of medication non-adherence poses a critical challenge with far-reaching health implications and substantial economic consequences. The PERACTIV project addresses this issue with a wrist-worn device that meticulously tracks hand and finger movements, offering real-time insights into medication intake routines. In the context of smart cities and healthcare innovation, this project provides a groundbreaking solution to the persistent problem of medication adherence. This paper introduces the integration of PERACTIV wearable technology with an automated annotation pipeline utilizing Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) technology. Placed strategically on the index finger, FSR records force during pivotal pill-related moments, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual data annotation. Together, the PERACTIV wearable and FSR-powered pipeline form a promising solution for medication adherence, particularly beneficial for individuals living independently and those with memory impairments. The research methodology involved focus groups to explore the intricacies of medication adherence challenges. Section 2 discusses the findings derived from these groups, providing a foundational understanding. Section 3 introduces the FSR-powered automated annotation pipeline, comprehensively analyzing micro-activities during pill-taking. These micro-activities encompass diverse elements, contributing to a holistic understanding crucial for effective analysis. This paper underscores the transformative potential of technology and innovation in healthcare research, setting the stage for seamless integration of medication adherence into daily life. The future promises a more connected and informed healthcare landscape driven by the synergy of PERACTIV wearable and FSR automation. 

This editorial paper presents a comprehensive overview of recent advancements and breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) and neural networks, with a particular focus on their applications in various fields such as human activity recognition, medical image steganography, lower limb prosthetics, assistive robots for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and wearable assistive devices for visually impaired individuals. 

Today people depend on technology, but often do not take the necessary steps to prioritize privacy and security. Researchers have been actively studying usable security and privacy to enable better response and management. A breadth of research focuses on improving the usability of tools for experts and organizations. Studies that look at non-expert users tend to analyze the experience for a device, software, or demographic. There is a lack of understanding of the security and privacy among average users, regardless of the technology, age, gender, or demographic. To address this shortcoming, we surveyed 47 publications in the usable security and privacy space. The work presented here uses qualitative text analysis to find major themes in user-focused security research. We found that a user’s misunderstanding of technology is central to risky decision-making. Our study highlights trends in the research community and remaining work. This paper contributes to this discussion by generalizing key themes across user experience in usable security and privacy. 

A digital spirometer is developed along with an application that introduces a certain level of gamification to the otherwise tedious practice of breathing exercises. The spirometer connects wirelessly with the application via Bluetooth. An illustration is displayed on the screen visualizing the patient's lung output. The immediate objective of this product is to engage the patient through gamification during their breathing exercises and consequently improve their lung strength. 

Medication adherence is a major problem in the healthcare industry: it has a major impact on an individual’s health and is a major expense on the healthcare system. We note that much of human activity involves using our hands, often in conjunction with objects. Camera-based wearables for tracking human activities have sparked a lot of attention in the past few years. These technologies have the potential to track human behavior anytime, any place. This paper proposes a paradigm for medication adherence employing innovative wrist-worn camera technology. We discuss how the device was built, various experiments to demonstrate feasibility and how the device could be deployed to detect the micro-activities involved in pill taking so as to ensure medication adherence. 

We conducted a 2x2 Wizard of Oz between-subject user study with sixteen healthy older adults. We investigated how to make social robots converse more naturally and reciprocally through unstructured conversation. We varied the level of interaction by changing the level of verbal and nonverbal communication the robot provided. Participants interacted with the robot for eight sessions engaging in an unstructured conversation. These conversations lasted thirty minutes to an hour. This paper will evaluate four questions from the post-interaction survey individuals completed after each session with the robot. The questions include: (i) I had fun talking to the robot; (ii) I felt I had a meaningful conversation; (iii) I was engaged the whole interaction; and (iv) I would consider the robot my friend. All participants reported they were engaged, had a meaningful conversation, and had fun during all eight sessions. Seven individuals felt the robot was their friend. 

Ụbụrụ is an executive function computerized rehabilitation application specifically designed for mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) individuals. Ụbụrụ utilizes serious games to train cognitive flexibility, planning, and organization. This paper explores the rationale and components behind the alpha stage of the application’s development, and its first design iteration. Currently, individuals with a history of mTBI have limited rehabilitation options as a result of lack of knowledge in terms of available services, access, time, or financial and insurance constraints. Due to the invisible nature of mTBIs, perception of injury severity is diminished, individuals are not properly equipped with how to proceed forward with rehabilitation, and awareness of injury can be inadvertently compromised. The intention behind the Ụbụrụ application is to be a computerized cognitive rehabilitation alternative and additive when limitations such as time, finances, or insurance exist.