A sensor system that alerts caretakers when the elderly are in trouble has proven welcome after being tested in some of Singapore's public housing, according to a survey by the country's Housing and Development Board (HDB) released on Tuesday.

HDB, together with four small and medium enterprises, developed the Smart Elderly Monitoring and Alert System (Semas) and placed the system in 12 rental flats from June to November last year.

According to the survey, All 12 households supported the use of the system, and 10 of them felt that it was elder-friendly and easy to use.

The alert system tracks the living habits of the elderly with the use of motion sensors. Once irregular patterns appear, such as when there is an unusually long period of inactivity, the system can alert their caregivers via alarms and text messages. The elderly can also press a portable panic button in times of distress.

The alert system is part of the Smart HDB Town Framework, with the aim of equipping public flats with digital infrastructure for "smart homes". The first of these homes will be launched in four housing projects in Punggol Northshore, during the upcoming sales exercise in May.