RIT research helps transform home-health monitoring for older adults through innovative Smart Seat technology

Rochester, New York – What started as a student research idea inside an engineering lab at Rochester Institute of Technology has grown into a commercial health technology that could change how older adults monitor their well-being at home. After more than a decade of research, development, testing, and collaboration, Rochester-based company Casana has officially introduced its Smart Seat, a device designed to make routine health monitoring simple and automatic.

The Smart Seat was originally conceived through research at RIT and has since evolved into a product intended to help older adults remain independent for longer while also giving family members greater confidence about their loved ones’ health. Rather than asking users to wear another device or remember to check vital signs manually, the system gathers important health information during a daily activity that most people already perform without thinking.

The technology replaces a standard toilet seat and is capable of measuring several key health indicators each time a person sits down. Among the readings it collects are blood pressure trends, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, respiratory rate, and stability. The information is gathered through a combination of specialized software and scientific methods that work in the background, eliminating the need for users to change their habits or learn complicated new routines.

Unlike wearable health trackers that rely on regular charging and consistent use, the Smart Seat is designed to function automatically. This approach addresses one of the biggest challenges in home-health monitoring, especially for older adults who may forget to wear or recharge electronic devices. By integrating health measurements into an everyday routine, the system aims to provide more consistent long-term tracking with minimal effort from the user.

The product follows updated guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for low-risk general wellness devices. Users also remain in control of their information through encrypted data protection and can decide whether they want their health data shared with healthcare providers.

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The launch comes as healthcare professionals continue searching for better ways to monitor patients between office visits. According to the Centers for Disease Control, four out of every 10 adults living with hypertension do not know they have the condition. At the same time, many older adults prefer to continue living in their own homes instead of moving into assisted-care facilities. Casana believes that making health monitoring part of a person’s normal daily routine could help identify concerning changes earlier while making home-based care more practical.

For Casana co-founder Nick Conn, the product’s release marks the culmination of years of work that began during his time as a graduate student in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering. His research eventually laid the foundation for the technology that is now reaching consumers.

“The technology began as research at RIT, and seeing it become a product that can help people maintain their health at home is incredibly rewarding,” said Conn, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering in 2011 and 2013, and a Ph.D. in microsystems engineering in 2016. “This milestone reflects years of collaboration among researchers, engineers, clinicians, investors, and entrepreneurs who believed this idea could make a meaningful difference.”

Conn now serves on Casana’s board as the Rochester-based company continues expanding its work in digital health technology.

The project also reflects RIT’s broader focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. The university has earned recognition for its engineering programs and its emphasis on developing practical technologies that address real-world challenges. The success of Casana demonstrates how ideas developed through academic research can move beyond the laboratory and become products with the potential to improve everyday life.

RIT has increasingly established itself as an important contributor to healthcare technology, with faculty, students, and alumni working on innovations that range from advanced medical imaging and artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostics to biomedical research designed to improve patient care. Casana’s journey from research concept to commercial product adds another example of how university-driven innovation can lead to new solutions for pressing healthcare needs.

The company’s growth has also been supported through RIT’s Venture Creations business incubator, where Casana developed its technology before graduating from the program in 2022. The incubator provides startup companies with resources and mentorship aimed at helping promising ideas become successful businesses.

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Leadership has also played a key role in Casana’s progress. The company is led by RIT alumnus Austin McChord, founder of Datto and one of the university’s most notable supporters. McChord serves as Casana’s president and has long encouraged student entrepreneurship through initiatives such as RIT’s Gap Year Entrepreneurial Fellowship, which helps students pursue startup ventures while completing their education.

With its commercial launch now underway, the Smart Seat represents the successful outcome of years of engineering research, academic collaboration, and entrepreneurial effort. By blending health monitoring into a familiar daily routine, Casana hopes its technology will support older adults who wish to remain independent while providing families and healthcare providers with valuable insights into long-term health trends.