SoundEye, a social enterprise start-up incubating at the BLOCK71 Social Impact Hub has developed LASSO, a modular device that uses advanced sound recognition and depth imaging technology to anticipate and detect falls and bed exits with high accuracy. 

 

Dr Tan Yeow Kee still remembers the moment that changed everything. It was a tragic case—an elderly woman had fallen in a washroom and was unable to call for help. Enduring three days without aid, she survived by drinking from the toilet bowl. Such harrowing experiences moved him deeply and he was determined to find a solution.  

The thought that someone in distress could go unnoticed for so long was unsettling. It was this incident that set Dr Tan on a mission to develop a privacy-preserving monitoring solution that could prevent similar tragedies from happening again. 

What began as a research project under A*STAR has since grown into SoundEye, deep tech AI social enterprise start-up that developed smart monitoring solutions that prevents and detects falls without compromising privacy.  

Initially, SoundEye focused on eldercare, working with hospitals and aged care facilities to reduce falls and unattended medical emergencies. But as the company grew, so did its applications—today, SoundEye’s solutions are now deployed in nursing homes, airports, commercial buildings and residential homes. Current customers include Vanguard Health Nursing Home, Ling Kwang Nursing Homes, and Lions Befrienders. 

Leveraging AI for Privacy-Preserving Monitoring 

Traditional monitoring systems often rely on CCTV, raising concerns about privacy and trust. At the core of SoundEye’s mission is LASSO, a flagship monitoring device that leverages depth imaging and advanced sound recognition to prevent and detect falls without relying on intrusive cameras.  

Unlike conventional monitoring systems, LASSO does not rely on video footage. Instead, it uses LiDAR depth imaging and sound recognition technology to detect emergencies and provides AI-driven insights for real-time alerts. 

Privacy concerns with traditional cameras led us to explore LiDAR technology," explains Dr Tan. "We can ensure safety without compromising dignity with depth imaging and sound recognition. When someone is screaming under a table, our sound recognition technology can detect distress without needing a direct line of sight," says Dr Tan. 

This approach protects privacy and ensures a higher level of responsiveness, especially in settings where caregivers cannot always be present. 

Helping SoundEye to scale up  

SoundEye’s entrepreneurial journey was strengthened by its involvement with NUS Enterprise. The company first connected with the NUS ecosystem through the Modern Aging Programme. It is a business competition and accelerator run by NUS Enterprise and Access Health. The competition provided SoundEye with access to mentorship, funding, and business networks. 

"NUS Enterprise’s seed funding was pivotal - it allowed me to move from A*STAR to focus on SoundEye full-time," says Dr Tan. 

The support didn’t stop at funding. Through BLOCK71 and NUS Enterprise’s accelerator programmes, SoundEye gained valuable insights on scaling a deep tech business, forming industry partnerships, and navigating regulatory challenges. Today, the company continues to develop its next-generation consumer products at the BLOCK71 Social Impact Hub. 

Bringing smart safety solutions to more communities 

As SoundEye grows, its focus remains on accessibility and affordability. The company is committed to keeping costs low through: 

• Edge computing, which reduces reliance on expensive server infrastructure. 

• Flexible pricing models, catering to different budgets. 

• Collaborations with agencies, making subsidies available for customers. 

The next frontier for SoundEye is expanding regionally. The company has already begun scaling operations to Japan, Southeast Asia, the US, and Europe, partnering with hospitals and aged care facilities to integrate its technology into more healthcare systems. 

What’s Next for SoundEye? 

The future of AI-driven monitoring goes beyond just fall detection. SoundEye is working on advanced AI models that analyse behavioral patterns, helping doctors and caregivers predict and prevent medical emergencies before they happen. 

"With better data analytics, we can create more meaningful insights for doctors and caregivers, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes and quality of life," says Dr. Tan. 

The company is also developing a consumer product to allow families to monitor their elderly loved ones at home without compromising their privacy. 

With a clear mission and innovative technology, SoundEye is proving that AI-powered monitoring can be both effective and ethical—protecting lives while preserving dignity. 

Find out more about SoundEye and BLOCK71 latest activities.