Room-based radar
Sensing in a defined room, with no camera or wearable. Placement and the physical space are part of the setup.
Find the right kind of support
Compare fall detection systems.
The best starting point is the person and their everyday life. Explore radar, pendants, cameras and watches by privacy, coverage, daily use and who responds.
Radar
Pendant
Camera
Watch
Four approaches.
Different everyday choices.
These are typical category characteristics, not a ranking or a test of every product. Confirm features, performance and terms for the exact model you are considering.
On a small screen, swipe the table to compare all four approaches. Keyboard users can focus the table and use the arrow keys.
| What matters | Radar | Pendant | Camera | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday use | Nothing to wear for room-based sensing. | Must be worn; some models require a button press. | No wearable; the viewing area must suit the purpose. | Must be worn and charged as specified. |
| Where it works | Within the configured room and sensing conditions. | Depends on the model, base unit or mobile coverage. | Within the supported field of view and conditions. | Can travel with the wearer; connection requirements vary. |
| Personal space | Guardian does not record images or conversations. | Check microphone, location and service data practices. | Check what images or audio are captured and who can access them. | Check account, location and health-data sharing settings. |
| Who responds | For Guardian, nominated people follow an agreed plan. | Some services include a response centre; confirm the arrangement. | Varies by supplier, service and configuration. | Features and emergency-contact behaviour vary by model. |
| Keep it working | Suitable placement, charging, connection and configuration. | Wearing, charging or battery maintenance, plus service coverage. | Power, connection, placement and supported viewing conditions. | Charging, wearing, phone settings and supported connectivity. |
Medical alert pendant
A wearable button or sensor. Check whether the exact model requires a button press, offers automatic detection or includes a response service.
Camera-based system
Uses images or video to analyse activity in a viewed area. Understand recording, access and privacy before choosing it for a personal space.
Smartwatch
A multipurpose wearable with model-specific safety features. Check the phone, connection, charging and interaction requirements.
Start with the life
it needs to fit.
Different priorities lead to different questions. Explore the trade-offs, then discuss the choice with the person who will use it.
One less thing to remember.
Room-based systems do not need to be worn. The trade-off is location: they cover an assessed space rather than travelling with the person.
For Guardian, confirm room suitability and placement before purchase.
Understand room-based sensing
Decide what belongs in the room.
Radar can provide movement information without a video feed. With any system, understand what data is collected, who can access it and how participation is agreed.
Plan support togetherThink beyond one room.
A pendant or watch can travel with its wearer. Check the exact device’s coverage, connection and response features. Guardian stays in its configured room.
An alert needs a person.
Decide who will receive a notification, check the situation and act. A staffed response centre is a separate service to confirm with a supplier; Guardian does not provide one.
Ask what happens if the connection is interrupted or the first contact cannot respond.
The details make
the decision.
Take the same questions to every supplier. A category description alone cannot tell you how a specific product will work in your setting.
- The product
- Which exact model, features and operating conditions are documented? What events can it miss?
- The arrangement
- Who receives alerts, what service is included and what is the backup during an interruption?
- The full cost
- What do hardware, ongoing service, installation and any additional support cost?
Explore the
Guardian approach.
Non-wearable radar sensing in a defined room, with activity context and configured notifications in the Aware app. Hardware and a connected service work together.
Questions before you choose.
Which type of fall detection system is most accurate?
There is no responsible category-wide answer. Performance varies by exact product, placement, environment, event definition and test method. Ask each supplier for current, product-specific evidence and the limitations that apply to your setup.
Which option is best for someone who will not wear a device?
Room-based radar or camera systems do not require a wearable. The trade-off is room coverage: radar avoids visual recording, while camera systems create different privacy and data-handling considerations.
Can funding cover a fall detection system?
Some products may be eligible under individual Support at Home or NDIS plans. Eligibility and approval depend on the person, their plan, the evidence provided and the relevant provider or funder.
Can any system replace emergency services or in-person care?
No. No sensing system detects every event. These products can support an agreed response plan, but do not replace emergency services, clinical advice or in-person checks.
No sensing system detects every event. Placement, charging, connectivity and configuration affect operation. Guardian and Aware do not replace emergency services, clinical advice or in-person checks. Agree who responds and test the setup.