Gary Sinise Foundation: Chris Walker Project
The Gary Sinise Foundation leverages the most sophisticated smart home tech to provide a new level of at-home independence for wounded U.S. veterans. All donated R.I.S.E (Restoring Independence, Supporting Empowerment) homes include an automation system that is customized to offer remote access to the home’s lights, temperature, security, audio, video and more. The way in which the recipients access these controls - via voice, or with the swipe of a finger on a tablet - is entirely designed to suit them and their disability. Therefore, tasks such as turning the lights on or off, answering and opening the door, or changing the channel on the television are no longer an impossible feat to overcome. Instead, seamless access is built into their new homes.
This year, Arlington, Virginia-based integration firm Innovative AV was hired by the Gary Sinise Foundation to design and install a fully customized smart home system that would allow injured war veteran US Army SSG Christopher Walker in Arlington, Virginia, more independence in his home. Lead installer Jon Linville relied on a donated ELAN control system, integrated with Amazon Alexa, to serve as the sophisticated system’s control hub. Now, all of the home’s sub-systems, including audio, video, lighting, climate, and security, are integrated into the system for customized access via touch or voice.
US Army SSG Christopher Walker lost his left leg and both of his arms after being struck by an IED in Afghanistan. Walker was flown to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in May of 2012, where he remained for over two years. Upon returning to Virginia in a wheelchair, the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program learned about Walker’s bravery and decided to honor him as the recipient of a fully customized specially adapted smart home.
Integration firm Innovative AV was asked by the Gary Sinise Foundation to install a custom-tailored smart home system that makes controlling audio, video, lighting, security, and shade control easy from a tablet, smartphone, in-wall touch panel, or via Amazon Alexa voice control. Basing the system around ELAN control, Innovative AV was able to build out an all-encompassing, yet easily manageable system — a top priority for US Army SSG Walker and his family.
The home relies on ELAN control to offer a new level of independence for Walker and his family. Innovative AV installed an ELAN gSC10 Controller as the base of the system, with three ELAN 7” in-wall touchpanels and one 12” in-wall touchpanel, all mounted under switch height to accommodate Walker in a wheelchair. All of the home’s sub-systems, including audio, video, lighting, climate, and security, are integrated into the system for easy access.
Further simplifying system control, Linville and his team AV integrated three Amazon Echo Dots into the ELAN system. Walker is now able to adjust Lutron lighting controls, open and close the shades, and turn the LG television on and off via simple voice commands on a daily basis.
High-tech security was also a top priority for U.S. Army SSG Walker and his family. Innovative AV integrated an ELK security system into the ELAN platform to allow perimeter security with Axis cameras. Walker can access footage from anywhere at any time on the ELAN App. Other life safety features, like carbon monoxide detection, are also integrated into the ELAN App so that Walker can guarantee that his family is safe.
For at-home entertainment, Innovative AV installed two ELAN S1616A Multi-Room Audio Controllers to distribute audio to sixteen zones, and an ELAN EL-44KM-V44-KIT HDBaseT™ Matrix to distribute video throughout the residence. SpeakerCraft Profile AIM LCR5 in-wall speakers, SpeakerCraft OE6 in-ceiling speakers, and a Sunfire HRSI W8 Subwoofer bring targeted, powerful bass to the media room.
Linville also stressed the importance of protecting against the danger of power surges or outages. Innovative AV installed a Panamax VT4315-PRO vertical power conditioner, a Panamax MR5300 power conditioner, and a Panamax MB1500 Uninterruptible Power Supply Battery at the back of the equipment rack to protect against power surges.
Gary Sinise Foundation: Chris Walker Project
Category
Project > Health and Wellness Project of the Year
Winner Status
- Winner
Share