Robotic Device Can Provide Light-Touch Assistance in Walking to Seniors

Columbia University researchers have augmented a cane with electronics and computation technology to create a light-touch assistive device to help seniors and those with impaired mobility walk, reports News-Medical . A study published in the IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters details the autonomous CANINE robot, which "walks" side by side to provide light-touch support to people. CANINE improves the individual's proprioception, or spatial self-awareness, during walking, and enhances stability and balance. "This is a novel approach to providing assistance and feedback for individuals as they navigate their environment," said Columbia Professor Joel Stein. Tests demonstrated that the light-touch support of the robotic cane caused all participants to narrow their strides, which signaled more gait stability. "The next phase in our research will be to test this device on older individuals and those with balance and gait deficits to study how the robotic cane can improve their gait," said Columbia Professor Sunil Agrawal.