Senior citizens of a country are the most delicate ones
and should be dealt with utmost care and respect but its not always possible
for any person to stick and guide them while crossing a street or walking
through a new street. But, scientists from University of Trento explained a
whole new device named ‘Robot Walker’, which could guide and help the elderly
peoples with all the needs they requires and make their life autonomous and
secure.
This ‘robotic walker’ is a device which is embedded with
sensors, cameras, obstacle recognition systems and software components aimed at
making a elderly person’s life much simpler beyond their home’s boundary walls.
The walker obtains information about its environment from its wireless connections
and accordingly deals with it on the user’s decision making.
The device’s working principle is as simple as it sounds.
When an obstruction comes in front of its path and that of the user’s, the
embedded recognition software sends the signals to the algorithms. These inside
‘algorithms’ then analyses the data, sending the information back to the user
guiding a safer path where chances of being stumble upon is less. The system
for instance will try to avoid the impediment that may be present in the surroundings,
or people who are walking may not have notice the presence of the walker and
its users.
Electronics engineers have worked hard to equip the ‘Walker’
with all kinds of necessary sensing, cognitive devices and friendly
human-machine interface keeping the system as simpler as they could. The system
was partially developed and designed in the University of Trento. It will be a
great help for the Senior citizens, as it will make their life more secure
while walking through a new pavement, said one of the researcher from the
Trento campus.
Despite the art of technology used in the device, the scientists
believe the device will not come cheap in the market. As for now, they have assumed
that the price range could be between 1800 to 2000 euros per unit in the
market. The researchers are currently working on the model in order to make it
financially competitive and the embedded system has the possibility to connect
wirelessly to signals send by other devices which can help minimizing the cost
of the walker’s own system.
Scientists believe the device will be ready to launch in
the market within a time span of two to three years. It will be great news for
all those senior citizens, as finally they can be independent and don’t need to
depend on others in order to live an autonomous life.
/Anuttam/
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