Shoe Insole With GPS Device Helps People with Alzheimer's, Dementia, Autism

California-based GTX makes a product that can help find people with Alzheimer's, dementia, and autism who wander off through a global-positioning system (GPS) tracker in the insole of their shoes, reports KTAR News . "It's an orthotic insole, but it's embedded with a GPS Cellular module that triangulates your position and transmits it out via cellular to the cloud," said GTX Chief Executive Patrick Bertagna. The so-called Smartsole allows loved ones and caregivers to track the wearer's location through their computer or smartphone. Bertagna said GPS in the insole is more comfortable for users than if it was worn elsewhere. "You can't give them something that they'll wrap around their neck or around their wrist, because they'll feel intimidated by the technology," he noted. Bertagna added that wearers are less likely to lose the GPS device because it is always in their shoe, and they may only own a few pairs of shoes. The device's battery can be charged within two hours, and holds a charge for up to three days.