International Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Technology
ISSN 2348-7593 (Online) Vol. 10, Issue 2, pp: (15-25), Month: October 2022 - March 2023, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Step-Up: Elderly Walking Assistant Hoin Kim1, Ananya Santhosh2 1,2
Gyeonggi Suwon International School, Suwon-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea 16706 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7462821
Published Date: 20-December-2022
Abstract: Each year, millions of elderly people—those 65 and older—fall [1]. Even the smallest fall for elderly citizens could lead to serious injuries and deteriorate their self-confidence [2]. In spite of using the walking sticks, many seniors lose balance. Many walking stick users hold onto nearby furniture/walls to maintain balance since most walking sticks are single handled. My research mainly focused on causes of their tripping or imbalance and redesigning the walking stick based on their input. To improve the stability, a dual handle walking stick (Step-Up) has been designed using Autodesk® Fusion 360. This foldable, User-Centered Design minimizes the chances of falling, and is designed to support both the user’s hands, especially when climbing up and down stairs. Along with age, seniors also face hearing or vision problems, hence a SOS button and an Arduino UNO ultrasonic proximity sensor have been provided. The SOS buzzer quickly alerts people nearby of any emergencies. The proximity sensor alerts the user of any obstacles with varying frequency of sounds based on distances. Additionally, a multipurpose USB outlet is provided, which allows users to add a portable device of their choice: adding a mini fan during hot summers, a portable light, or charge a phone, etc. Step-Up, a smart walking stick, not only reduces the fear of falls and but also assists a peaceful walking experience for elderly. Keywords: walking assistant, elderly walking, dual handle, fusion 360, Arduino uno, Ultrasonic proximity sensor.
I. INTRODUCTION According to the United Nations (UN), in 2019, the elderly made up 9% of the population. This percentage has been growing over the years [9]. Although the elderly occupies only a small percentage of the population, they are very important and require assistance in various areas. One of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the UN is “Good Health and Well-Being.” To achieve this SDG, it's important to consider the needs of everyone, especially those of the disabled and elderly. The elderly are prone to falls; even the smallest fall for elderly citizens could lead to serious injuries and deteriorate their self-confidence [2]. To maintain their balance, elderly citizens commonly use mobility devices such as walking sticks, but even then, many seniors lose balance and fall. So, there’s a need for redesigning a more stable walking stick that reduces the chances of falling in different environments through the utilization of User-Centered Design (UCD). After conducting a survey on walking stick users to understand their views on existing product, approximately 58% of the respondents stated that they dislike using a walking stick, and 40% of the respondents had experienced falls from a loss of balance. Out of these, 44% believe that walking sticks don’t prevent falls. This reflects the inefficiency of walking sticks. Although no product can be made 100% effective, its efficiency rate could be increased by thorough analysis and design. The shortcomings of current walking sticks have been researched through scientific journals, digital surveys and also by observations (streets of India), which will be addressed in this article.
II. OBJECTIVE The objective of the paper is to analyze the difficulties in the existing walking stick and propose a walking stick prototype that improves stability through the selection of materials, its design, and smart features that enhance usability.
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