The winner of the 2011 Fujitsu design award, a concept called “the aid,” brings a new dimension to the timeless walking stick. In addition to being an ambulation support, this hi-tech cane monitors the walker’s pulse, blood pressure, and temperature. These parameters are detected via the user’s wrist and displayed on an LCD screen on top of the device.
Created by Lithuanian designer Egle Ugintaite, the aid cane also has a built-in navigation feature than can help the user find a location of their choice or, in case of distress, send the current location to a central help center.
According to the designer:
”the aid’ is mainly dedicated to help elderly people, or people after trauma who often have a lack of confidence to step outside their house, causing isolation, depression… ‘the aid’ is designed to be a real ‘helping hand’: to guide and prevent one from being lost, providing a feeling of security, allowing one to receive immediate help if they need it, and, of course physical support, as a walking cane. an integrated navigator, which works as a service + health device (pulse, blood pressure temperature) features measuring sensors along with an SOS button, which, by pressing it when help is needed, contacts the help centerand sends the user’s current health data and location to provide immediate and qualified help. the object is simple to use (2 buttons only), but at the same time smart.
More details and photos can be found here…