Robots and Sensors May Help Make Seniors Mobile
From: Futurist - 06/2004 - Vol. 38, No. 3, P. 12
By: Clifton Coles

A variety of assistive technologies are being developed to give elderly
people more independence and mobility via unique communication interfaces
between the users and their environment, according to Rodolphe Gelin of the
Robotics and Interactive Systems Department at France's Atomic Energy
Authority. Alter Eco Sante's Automax unit has a swiveling grab bar to help
patients stand up, while the Monimad is an intelligent walker that raises
patients into the walking position. The Nemo+ system, which can be attached
to a wheelchair, controls up to 200 voice-activated functions--turning on
lights, opening doors, operating phones and TVs, etc.--through the use of
stored infrared and other codes. Another robot features a voice-controlled
manipulator arm that enables patients with impaired upper limbs to perform
many normal chores, such as pouring a drink or picking up a book. Academic
researchers, engineers, doctors, and Bretonne Aphycare have developed a
monitoring device outfitted to a wristwatch that keeps track of the wearer's
vital signs and detects falls; the device wirelessly alerts relatives or
emergency services during a crisis, and has a 230-foot transmission range. A
continuous monitoring system enables remote interaction between elderly
patients in the home and relatives or medical staff via a computer-supported
video connection. The system also allows patients to remotely control
electrical equipment in the house.  


Nemo+
http://www.enablemart.com/productDetail.aspx?pid=212&dept=24&store=10
http://www.madentec.com/products/eadl/works.html
http://www.gstsdesigns.com/NEMO/nemo.html
http://www.hightechrehab.com/rehabilitation/nemo.asp

Phycare
http://www.aphycare.com/versionanglaise/

Monimad
http://ambafrance-ca.org/HYPERLAB/actualite/courant/US.newsApr04.htm
http://www.eubusiness.com/Members/FTPB/EUPress.2004-02-06.2242
http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/april04/departments/news_notes/news_note.html