Maintaining personal mobility is a critical component of health and well-being for the elderly as well as those recovering from debilitating injuries or illnesses [1]. Regular physical activity can help prevent bone loss and generally maintain the musculoskeletal system as well as cardiovascular health. Following a serious injury, illness, or major surgery many individuals may need to use a walker to ensure safe and pain-free mobility. However, poor balance or movement control problems can make it difficult to safely use a walker, particularly on sloped surfaces [2]. In this paper, a special type of walker is presented for helping enhance stability and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
This new walker is intended to improve the primary functionality of reducing fall risk, through implementation of a passively triggered braking system. The load-based trigger is designed to be adjustable such that individuals of varying weights can successfully use the...