Mumbai Teens Create AI-Enabled Walking Stick Attachment to Prevent Falls Among Seniors

Inspired by their grandmothers' struggles, two Class 12 students develop an innovative device that could transform elderly care.

Two Class 12 students from Mumbai, Rahi Shah and Hriday Boriawala, have designed an innovative attachment for walking sticks that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and pressure sensors to help prevent falls among the elderly. Their creation, named Walkfit, was inspired by their grandmothers' mobility challenges and aims to reduce the risk of falls, a common and often severe issue among seniors.

Rahi and Hriday, who share a passion for robotics and electronics, started working on Walkfit during a STEM competition in 2022. Their goal was to create a device that could anticipate the risk of falls and alert caregivers in time. Over two years, they developed Walkfit, which attaches to any walking stick and analyzes a user's gait, helping diagnose lower limb orthopedic disorders.

The device includes six pressure sensors and uses AI to monitor the user’s dependency on the stick, predicting the likelihood of a fall. The data collected is transmitted to a laptop, generating real-time heat maps that highlight potential issues. Future developments include a mobile app to make the data more accessible.

The teens tested their prototype on their grandparents and other senior citizens in old age homes, receiving validation from physiotherapists. Their invention has earned them accolades, including a provisional patent and recognition at national and international competitions. Walkfit, priced between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000, promises to be an affordable and effective tool for preventing falls and improving elderly care.

Reference:

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