Zug – Helpany (formerly Sedimentum) announces a name change, expansion, and at the same time the introduction of a global novelty: the plug-and-play, radar-based device named Paul. 

In recent weeks, Helpany has not only further developed its product and introduced new features but has also tapped into new markets. Starting in spring 2024, Helpany will officially be available in the USA. The startup from Switzerland has opened a subsidiary in San Francisco. Initial pilot projects in independent & assisted living facilities and selected private US households are already using the solution.

Since its market entry in Switzerland in the summer of 2022, the startup has recorded a growth – alone in 2023 the growth was 400%. “The Swiss market was perfect for our product development and to tailor our solution even more to the needs of seniors and their family caregivers,” says Sandro Cilurzo, CEO and co-founder of Helpany. It started as a fall detector and evolved into a comprehensive information solution for families, providing peace of mind while simultaneously supporting the independence of seniors.

Helpany has developed its own radar sensor, which measures movements at home 24/7 and detects irregularities thanks to artificial intelligence. Paul senses millimeter movements by looking for frequency shifts in the recorded spectrum of its transmitted radio waves signal, which are caused by reflections from a moving person. Different kinds of movements create different kinds of frequency shifts which are leveraged to create distinguishable signatures for every motion pattern observed. This is the underlying principle how Paul is performing its sophisticated AI-based motion analysis. Instead of just detecting that there is motion or an absence of motion, Paul understands what kind of motion, how the motion and where the motion in space has occurred. Remarkably, one to two devices are sufficient for a household: “We recommend placing one Paul in the room where the person spends the night, and one device where the person spends most of their time during the day,” explains Cilurzo.

In the associated app, which has been developed for both seniors and their family caregivers, additional features are integrated. Seniors can actively declare an emergency from any location. Relatives have the opportunity to check in the app at any time how their loved ones are doing, without intruding their privacy. Moreover, motion alerts can be individually configured. Some seniors use this function as a burglary alarm, while relatives use it to detect potential emergencies if, for example, the senior is not able to move around freely.

Now, Helpany hopes to build a global presence with its entry into the USA. “In the United States, the specific safety needs, coupled with the extensive distances between caregivers and seniors and the common practice of spending a lot of time at home, present an ideal market for the adoption of our solution.” says Cilurzo.

Why was the name changed from Sedimentum to Helpany?
With the market expansion and repositioning, Sedimentum and the product name “safe-living” no longer fit. Helpany is a mix of “help” and “providing company”, which means offering assistance and companionship so that the person is not alone. This name reflects our mission to provide information for requesting help and to give peace of mind by always being there for those who need support.

About Helpany  

Helpany, a Swiss and San Francisco-based tech startup, specializes in radar and AI technologies focusing on easing the burdens of family caregivers. Recognizing the extensive challenges faced by millions of family caregivers in the US, Helpany integrates advanced technology with empathy. Their product includes Paul, a smart radar-based device, paired with the Helpany app. Paul monitors well-being through movement sensing, displaying continuous information through the app for caregivers, and informing them if help is needed.

Contact: 

Eugenie Nicoud, Co-Founder & COO
eugenie.nicoud@helpany.com