Robotic ‘exoskeleton’ prevents elderly falls: study

Every year, more than 420,000 die from falls — most of those are older than 65. Nearly 40 million falls that require attention   Paris: Scientists unveiled a lightweight, robotic, outer “skeleton” on Thursday that can detect when someone loses their balance, correct their gait, and prevent their fall. Designed to limit stumbles among the elderly, the device has sensors that can discern in real time when a limb starts to buckle or flail, and lightweight motors which exert instant force on both legs to restore balance. According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second cause of death from accidental or unintentional injuries worldwide. Every year, more than 420,000 people die from falls — most of those are older than 65. Nearly 40 million falls that require medical attention are reported annually, says the WHO, and this number is likely to skyrocket as people live to become ever older. Dubbed the Active Pelvis Orthosis or APO, the new device could also help disabled people and amputees, said its designers from the Scuola Sant’Anna, an Italian University, and Switzerland’s EPFL polytechnical school. The “exoskeleton” is worn from the waist down, its creators explained, “and is vastly different from the armoured stuff you see in today’s science fiction movies”. It is attached to a belt worn around the middle that holds small motors at the hips, and soft braces strapped to the thighs. The device weighs about 5 kg, can be easily adjusted to a person’s individual height and girth, and does not interfere with normal walking, the team said. — AFP