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A new scientific breakthrough was announced at the Photon Conference today, Tuesday September 4, when a team of researchers revealed a fall/trip detecting magic carpet.

According to a report released by the University of Manchester, Plastic optical fibers, laid on the underlay of a carpet, can bend when anyone treads on it and map, in real-time, their walking patterns. Any changes in walking behavior or a sudden impact signaling a fall or trip can be detected through sensors placed at the edge of the carpet which in turn would be sent to a computer.

Amazingly, the imaging technology developed is so versatile that it could even be altered to detect the of chemical pillage or fire as an early warning system.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reveals that as many as 30-40 percent of community dwelling older people fall each year. This is the most serious and frequent accident in the home and accounts for 50 percent of hospital admissions in the over 65 age group.

Scientists believe that smart carpets can be fitted inside care homes, hospital wards, and even in people's homes if necessary. Physiotherapists could also use the carpet to map changes and improvements in a person's gait.

Dr Patricia Scully from The University of Manchester's Photon Science Institute who led the team believes the magic carpet could be vital not only for helping people in the immediate aftermath of a fall, but also in identifying subtle changes in people's walking habits which might not be spotted by a family member or care-giver.

Dr Scully said: "The carpet can gather a wide range of information about a person's condition; from bio-mechanical to chemical sensing of body fluids, enabling holistic sensing to provide an environment that detects and responds to changes in patient condition" adding, "it can be retrofitted at low cost, to allow living space to adapt as the occupiers' needs evolve - particularly relevant with an aging population and for those with long term disabilities - and incorporated non-intrusively into any living space or furniture surface such as a mattress or wall that a patient interacts with."

The carpet is a model of how professionals from different backgrounds can collaborate to develop new and innovative healthcare technologies that can make a real difference practice."