By adding electronics and computation technology to a simple cane that has been around since ancient times, researchers have transformed it into a 21st century robotic device that can provide light-touch assistance in walking to the aged and others with impaired mobility. The autonomous robot ‘walks’ alongside a person to provide light-touch support, much as one might lightly touch a companion’s arm or sleeve to maintain balance while walking.
Robotic cane shown to improve stability in walking: Device acts as a cane-like mobile assistant to provide light-touch to help the elderly and others with impaired mobility