Scientists develop new assistive robot to prevent falls in the elderly

As older people become physically weaker, their sense of balance declines, and their risk of falling increases significantly.

Recently, researchers have launched a new robot that can predict when the elderly will fall and "catch" them before they fall to the ground.

Developed by scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore, the prototype device is called the Mobile Robotic Balance Assistant, or MRBA (pronounced "Mister Bah"). It consists of a battery-powered base with wheels connected to a padded harness worn around the user's hips.

The MRBA robot follows users as they walk around their home or other environments. Using depth-sensing cameras and other sensors , it is reportedly able to detect telltale movements that indicate the user has suddenly lost balance. When it does, it reacts by stopping and securing the harness in place, preventing the wearer from falling.

The robot can also recognize intentional movements, such as those related to sitting down, getting up, and standing up. In all cases, it provides assistance accordingly. In addition to helping users in their daily lives, the robot can also be used in rehabilitation medicine to help wearers stand up as they learn to walk again.

In a test of the technology, 29 volunteers with stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury used the MRBA over a three-day period. The device proved to be helpful for daily activities, and no participants recorded falls during the entire testing period.

The scientists are now planning a larger study and hope the technology will be commercially available next year.