Engineering news
Mexican scientists have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) mobility walker that learns the gait of users to help prevent the risk of falling.
The walker contains sensors to track user’s movements and daily routines and can send and store this data via a small on-board computer which is connected to the internet. Additionally, it can send an alert via the internet that notifies a help system in case of an emergency.
The researchers from Universidad Politecnica de Cataluña (UPC), Barcelona, Spain, said that the aim of the walker is to eliminate the risk of falling in elderly patients, as well as avoiding similar dangers with those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.
In each of the rear wheels a movement is generated by an engine with a power comparable to that of two electric bikes. The walker can sense when a person is using it, as well as the strength of the user, via its handles which are installed with micro system sensors.
Everything is connected to a small computer and a bicycle battery, which allows the system to connect to the internet, through which the information of the handle sensors and wheels is sent.
The walker is able to sense and analyse the gait pattern of the user and build up a daily profile of their activities, including the daily number of steps, stride length, frequency of steps and the strength applied when walking. It can then understand what is ‘normal’ walking for that user and will send out an alert to emergency service, including location information, if it senses anomalous walking activity, such as the user slowing down.
The research is being carried out by Ulises Cortés, professor of artificial intelligence at UPC. He said the hope is that the AI system will help the elderly enjoy more of their free time outside of their homes.
The research team are working to add more functions to the design, including allowing the walkers to communicate between each other to allow other people in the same locations to inform fellow users whether there is a problem or potential hazard on a nearby route.
UPC is seeking funding to bring the prototype to market and is also developing a walker for children.