Engineering student helps protect vulnerable populations with smart technologies

The challenge

Sentiom is a company that creates smart environments using the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence to keep vulnerable senior citizens safe. They work with Maisons Martin-Matte, a network of homes designed to offer autonomy and a better quality of life to people living with a traumatic brain injury or a physical disability, so that residents have safe, reliable tools for contacting attendants in case of need.

Their technologies also include sensors to detect water leaks and prolonged opening of doors and windows. Like many specialized residential facilities, the Maison Martin-Matte in Quebec City was faced with a number of challenges related to facilities management. The deployment of Sentiom’s solutions, including sensors that can detect when water is leaking or when doors and windows have been left open too long, has helped to better manage these risks and ensure safer homes. The result: lower risks and safer buildings.

The solution

During his Mitacs internship, Mathis Le Manh Ho provided key support for the operational structure needed to deploy Sentiom solutions. Mathis has been an active contributor in analyzing and improving internal processes used for deploying technological solutions in partner residences, particularly within the Maisons Martin-Matte network. His involvement has helped optimize internal processes, document best practices for technology deployment, and support the integration of solutions with partners. He has also helped analyze local needs in order to better adapt technologies to the realities of residential buildings and vulnerable populations. This internship is part of the Mitacs internship program, made possible thanks to the support of Quebec’s Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie (MEIE).

The results: A key contribution to a critical project

Through his internship, Mathis helped to:

• Get Sentiom solutions to market faster, opening up new opportunities in the sector of specialized residences and housing environments for vulnerable people
• Strengthen collaboration and knowledge transfer between academia and industry, in order to incorporate applied research into real-world projects
• Build deeper ties with Maison Martin-Matte, leading to the identification and development of new technology projects that proved the value and lasting impact of this partnership

This work has optimized installation planning, reduced the risk of errors, and improved communication between technical teams, managers, and partners. By going further in formalizing its operations, Maison Martin-Matte has been able to facilitate the integration of technologies and enhance the reliability of the solutions deployed for residents.

“Collaborating with Mitacs has enabled us to recruit young talent, students and recent graduates, who have contributed directly to our technology development projects and internal strategies,” notes Anne-Lyse Miller, MSc, Director of Innovation at Sentiom. “Thanks to this support, we have been able to accelerate our innovations while offering these young professionals valuable hands-on experience in their field.”

Mathis has now been part of the Sentiom team for several months, and his Mitacs internship has even been extended for an additional unit.

From theory to practice: Close ties to his university training

With a bachelor’s in industrial engineering and as a student in computer engineering from Polytechnique Montréal at the time of his internship, Mathis was able to put his knowledge of process optimization, systems analysis, and problem solving to practical use.

His background in industrial engineering helped him to take a global view of operations, analyze workflows, and propose continuous improvements. His background in computer engineering gave him a thorough understanding of the technological issues surrounding sensors, information systems, and data management.

This synergy has enabled him to form ties between the realities of the field and the digital solutions implemented by Sentiom, while developing skills that are essential for his future career.

“My internship at Sentiom enabled me to make a real contribution to improving internal processes, which had a direct impact on the efficiency of field deployments,” says Mathis Le Manh Ho. “Thanks to my training in industrial engineering and computer engineering, I’ve been able to bridge the gap between operations analysis and technological solutions, while developing essential skills for my career.”

Mitacs’s programs receive funding from multiple partners across Canada. We thank the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon for supporting us to empower Canadian innovation. 

Do you have a business challenge that could benefit from a research solution? If so, contact Mitacs today to discuss partnership opportunities: [email protected].