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User Groups
Elderly and persons with Low Mobility
Description and Functionality
The walker rests on the three wheels and the wheel in front has the braking system and other two wheels with smaller size acts as support system. The 3-wheel system has enough ground clearance so that it moves on uneven roads and speed breakers. The walker can be completely foldable into a flat configuration. Two L-shaped handles are provided which are height-adjustable telescopically from 85 cm to 110 cm. The width of the walker can be adjusted from 80 cm to 110 cm using a telescopic adjustment rod using a spring system. The braking system is ‘squeeze to move’ and ‘not squeeze to brake’ (stop) which helps elderly to avoid unintentional movement of the walker on the slopes. Alarms are generated if the user is moving away from the center of the walker, if the walker is tilted more than 18-20 degrees and when there is an obstacle before the walker to avoid loss of balance and to prevent fall.
State-of-the-art
First such walker designed with features such as foldable, height and width adjustable. Sensors were used to detect position of the user around the center of gravity of the walker and obstruction in front of the Walker. A Tilt sensor is used to sense more than 18-degree tilt. A microcontroller ATMega 328P is used to generate alarm tones if the attached sensors sense a fall condition.
Stage of Development
The prototype has been extensively field tested and is ready for commercialization.
Specifications and Approximate Cost
Dimensions: 90*75*100 cm approximately Weight: 9 Kg
Material cost: ₹4000/- per unit.
Technology Developer
Prof Shrish Verma
National Institute of Technology Raipur-492010, Chhattisgarh shrishverma@nitrr.ac.in
+91 9826424427
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