Many people might associate Alzheimer’s with forgetfulness, but for Hemesh Chadalavada, it became intensely personal. One night in Hyderabad, the then-12-year-old awoke to find his grandmother outside the house, convinced she was boarding a train. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she frequently wandered at odd hours. Rather than succumbing to fear, Hemesh transformed it into action. Drawing from his love for robotics and technology, he set out to invent a solution—a device that would not only protect his grandmother but also help millions of families facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s.

From Empathy to Innovation: The Alpha Monitor

Hemesh’s solution came in the form of the Alpha Monitor, a lightweight, wearable device that can be worn as a badge or an armband, designed specifically to address the key risks faced by Alzheimer’s patients. The device offers real-time alerts to notify caregivers if patients wander or fall, ensuring immediate intervention when needed. 

It also includes health monitoring capabilities, tracking pulse and body temperature, and provides medication reminders to help patients adhere to their prescribed routines. One of its standout features is long-range connectivity through LoRa technology, allowing it to operate up to 5 km away, far surpassing the limited range of WiFi or Bluetooth. Through the development of over 20 prototypes and countless hours spent observing Alzheimer’s care centers, Hemesh refined the device to meet real-world needs. His approach went beyond technical innovation; he deeply understood the emotional and practical challenges faced by families, making the Alpha Monitor a truly human-centered solution.

A Young Mind Meets Global Recognition

Hemesh’s invention has already received significant accolades. He was awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, India’s highest civilian honor for students, and has gained recognition worldwide. For a teenager, these awards reflect more than skill; they are a reflection of his empathy, perseverance, and innovative mindset. What makes Hemesh’s journey remarkable is that he taught himself robotics and electronics using YouTube tutorials. He combined academic curiosity with real-world problem-solving, creating a device that has a tangible impact on people’s lives.

The Story Behind the Device

The Alpha Monitor is born out of a blend of personal experience and research. Hemesh spent his summers with his grandmother, watching movies and enjoying her homemade biryani. But the blissful moments were punctuated by the unpredictability of Alzheimer’s. He recounts incidents such as her leaving the gas on while cooking or wandering in the night. These experiences revealed the limitations of existing monitoring devices, most of which rely on WiFi or Bluetooth and lose connection when patients move beyond a short range. 

The Alpha Monitor overcomes these limitations through LoRa technology, allowing families to track patients over several kilometers—enough to cover both urban and rural settings. This attention to practical details shows Hemesh’s deep empathy and understanding of real needs.  At age 12, he built a heat detector to monitor his friends while playing cricket. Later, he developed AI-powered systems, medical coding tools, and personalized recommendation engines. He participated in competitions, winning grants and accolades, such as a $40,000 award from Samsung and first place at HackRice 2024.

Impact on Families and Communities

The Alpha Monitor promises a lifeline for families facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s. India alone has an estimated 8.8 million people living with the disease. Devices like Hemesh’s can reduce anxiety, prevent accidents, and provide peace of mind for caregivers. Beyond functionality, it empowers families, giving them confidence that their loved ones are safer, even when they are not physically present. 

Hemesh’s journey is also a source of inspiration for young innovators. It shows that age is no barrier to solving real-world problems and that personal experiences can fuel groundbreaking inventions. With manufacturing on the horizon, Hemesh Chadalavada is ready to scale the Alpha Monitor, reaching families across India and eventually the world. His story reminds us that technology at its best is human-centered. From a night of fear to international recognition, Hemesh has demonstrated that innovation fueled by empathy can create real, lasting change.