Cognitive Systems Transforms a Founder’s Caregiving Experience into a Global Technology Solution

When Taj Manku's parents relocated to Ontario in their 60s, they were enjoying their independence, but a couple of medical emergencies shifted everything. Manku, the co-founder and CEO of Cognitive Systems, found himself balancing medical appointments and family duties while worrying about their well-being. With his parents living an hour away, maintaining frequent visits became challenging, particularly as he was also raising two adult children and overseeing his technology company in Waterloo, which specializes in Wi-Fi Sensing.

Cognitive Systems developed WiFi Motion, a software that transforms regular Wi-Fi signals into motion sensors. One of its products is Caregiver by Cognitive, an eldercare solution that relies on WiFi Motion combined with simple hardware and an app to help families monitor aging loved ones passively. This innovative technology observes patterns in daily activities without capturing images or recording conversations, making it less intrusive. Manku noted that his parents were essentially the first users of this system, as they preferred a solution without cameras or voice devices.

Through Caregiver Aware, a mobile app, Manku received daily alerts about his parents' movements, allowing him to stay informed about their sleep patterns and activity levels. This passive monitoring eased his worries and facilitated crucial conversations about their health—such as when sleep data helped identify an issue his mother hadn't disclosed.

The emotional toll of caregiving is significant, with over 42% of Canadians aged 15 and older providing unpaid care. Many caregivers, juggling responsibilities for both their children and aging parents, experience feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. Manku designed Caregiver by Cognitive to transform caregiving from a reactive approach—waiting for crises—to a proactive one that enables early intervention based on subtle changes in daily routines.

Manku emphasized the common frustrations associated with eldercare technology, including complex installation processes that lead users to return products in defeat. In contrast, Caregiver by Cognitive can be set up in under five minutes, requiring no technical expertise. The system circumvents the common pitfall of relying on older adults to activate devices, thereby promoting consistent monitoring without added pressure.

Currently, Canadian consumers can purchase Caregiver Aware, which includes four WiFi Motion plugs and access to the accompanying mobile app. Cognitive Systems primarily operates on a B2B model, licensing its technology to internet service providers and health tech partners, thus reaching over 17.5 million homes globally, often under various brand names. Manku aims to make the technology affordable and accessible, estimating hardware costs around $50 for complete home coverage.

Cognitive Systems is deeply rooted in Waterloo, a tech hub known for its innovation and talent pool, much of which developed due to the influence of companies like BlackBerry. Founded by former BlackBerry employees and supported by Quantum Valley Investments, Cognitive holds over 585 patents and applies principles from quantum science to enhance its product offerings.

Manku's journey into caregiving technology stemmed from personal experience. With a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, he has focused on cutting-edge tech throughout his career. His latest venture aims to tackle major challenges in caregiving, addressing privacy, cost, and functionality. Manku concludes that understanding his parents' needs inspired the development of a solution that benefits many families navigating similar caregiving journeys.