Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Knight Rider for the Senior Circuit

Filed under: Geriatrics

It's a high-tech vehicle that responds to voice commands. With its own sensors and internal maps, it can park itself, or come and find you when you need it.

But it's not a black Trans Am... it's a walker:

We have developed a robotically augmented walker to reduce fall risk and confusion, and to increase walker convenience and enjoyment. Using a modified version of the CARMEN navigation software suite [11], the walker is capable of parking itself and returning to the user when signaled by remote control. The system also supports navigation in large indoor environments by providing simple directions to target locations such as a cafeteria. The walker received positive reviews during informal testing with residents of a Pennsylvania residence facility for older adults.

Via We-Make-Money-Not-Art

More from Stanford researchers Jared Glover and Sebastian Thrun (pdf)...

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