Electronic Braking System for Walkers
From: Rehabilitation Management

Students at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, have tweaked the mechanics of
rolling walkers—which help people maintain mobility and an active
lifestyle—to help make the equipment safer and more user-friendly.  

The biomedical engineering students working with Weill Cornell Medical
College affiliated psychiatrist Eli Einbinder, MD, have designed an
electronic braking system for walkers, with buttons replacing bicycle-style
squeeze brakes and automatic braking that can prevent slips, slides, and
falls when a user grabs the handgrips. 

Read the entire story at:
http://www.rehabpub.com/RMN/2010-07-19_06.asp

Links:
Please don’t squeeze the handles: Newly patented electronic braking system prevents slips on walkers
http://www.pressoffice.cornell.edu/releases/release.cfm?r=47700

Maintaining Mobility
http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/news/engineering-magazine/archives/cem-spring-2007/maintaining-mobility.cfm

Engineers invent 'Smart Walkers' for elderly
http://www.rdmag.com/News/Feeds/2010/06/general-sciences-engineers-invent-smart-walkers-for-elderly/

Newly patented electronic braking prevents slips on walkers
http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/June10/SmartWalkers.html
http://www.rdmag.com/News/2010/06/Life-Sciences-Engineering-Newly-Patented-Electronic-Braking-Prevents-Slips-On-Walkers/

Eli Einbinder
http://www.idny.com/idny/dynamic/doctor.html?id=871

David Lipson
http://www.bme.cornell.edu/bme/people/faculty/profile.cfm?id=1678