Considerations and Mechanical Modifications on a Smart Walker

It is known that human mobility has the tendency to decrease, gradually, with age as a consequence of neurological, muscular and/or osteoarticular deterioration. Thus, in an aging society, devices that provide mobility assistance and ambulatory daily exercises are essential for the health and life quality of such individuals. Besides a brief introduction about gait aid devices, this paper presents and proposes improvements on the third prototype of a Smart Walker. This versatile rehabilitation and functional tool developed by a researcher group was used for one year, in a clinical environment at a hospital, by six patients. Based on the acquired know-how, the physicians, physiotherapist and patients' feedback, a fourth prototype is being developed, mechanically and electronically improved. This paper will focus on the proposed mechanical, design and ergonomic considerations.