New robot helps old people with frailty to walk without fear of falls
Getting on in years means not being as light on one’s feet as in the past, but also, for some, the risk of debilitating falls, which can be even more dangerous for those who live alone.
With all that in mind, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) engineers have made a robot to help elderly people remain at home for longer and avoid having to either pay for care or depend on family for assistance with standing and sitting.
“All the demographic trends point to a shortage of caregivers, a surplus of elderly persons and a strong desire for elderly persons to age in place,” said MIT’s Roberto Bolli.
“Many older adults underestimate the risk of fall and refuse to use physical aids, which are cumbersome, while others overestimate the risk and may not exercise, leading to declining mobility,” said Harry Asada of MIT.
The contraption entails “robotic handlebars” that follow the user, who, the MIT team said, can in turn “walk independently or lean on the robot’s arms for support.”
“The robot can support the person’s full weight, lifting them from sitting to standing and vice versa along a natural trajectory. And the arms of the robot can catch them by rapidly inflating side airbags if they begin to fall,” the researchers continued.
“Our design concept is to provide older adults having balance impairment with robotic handlebars for stabilizing their body. The handlebars go anywhere and provide support anytime, whenever they need,” Asada explained.
The prototype is operated by remote control, but the team aims to create a smaller, more nimble update that is automated to detect a user’s movement and follow him or her around.
