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High-Tech Walkers Could Help Japan's Elderly Stay Independent

Posted by Soulskill on from the imperial-walkers dept.

jfruh writes: You may have heard that Japan will deal with its aging population by relying more on robots. Osaka startup RT Works is showing what that might mean in practice: not humanoid robotic caregivers, but tech-enhanced versions of traditional tools like walkers. RT Works's walker automatically adjusts to help its user deal with hilly terrain, and can call for help if it moves outside a predefined range.

34 comments

  1. How about both? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Why do we have to choose between a robotic care giver, and a robotic method of mobility? Why not have both?

    1. Re:How about both? by Robotech_Master · · Score: 1

      Aw damn, you beat me to it.

      The interesting thing is that particular anime was basically a satire on the problem Japan faced from its aging population...the same problem that these robotic walkers are designed to help ameliorate.

      --
      Editor Emeritus and Senior Writer, TeleRead.org
    2. Re:How about both? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      At first glance, I was thinking TFA meant the zombies from The Walking Dead... and how a zombie incursion would improve Japan.

  2. I saw this movie by Minwee · · Score: 1

    It's only a matter of time before the walkers go rogue and a special task force has to be formed to stop them.

    1. Re:I saw this movie by HeckRuler · · Score: 1

      We're going to the beach! And that caravan of SWAT vans in the way can just go fuck themselves.

      Yeah, I saw it too. Came here to reference it. Is it this one? Roujin Z?

    2. Re:I saw this movie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      and as these walkers will be affordable only to the wealthiest citizens, they will be nick-named "white walkers"

    3. Re:I saw this movie by Teresita · · Score: 1

      The walkers won't go rogue until the other problem of an aging workforce, falling tax receipts, is addressed by forcing the walkers to pony up their fair share...

    4. Re:I saw this movie by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 1

      Came for the Rojin-Z reference. Left satisfied.

    5. Re:I saw this movie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Echo Station 3-T-8. We have spotted Imperial walkers."

    6. Re:I saw this movie by rubycodez · · Score: 1

      Came for the Robotics Notes reference to Mizuka Irei's prosthetic legs walking her off a cliff, and left hungry

    7. Re:I saw this movie by SeaFox · · Score: 1

      It's only a matter of time before the walkers go rogue and a special task force has to be formed to stop them.

      You forgot the part where the task force is made up of high-schoolers, and a trip to the beach is required as part of the mission.

  3. Even if they can walk... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If they have some type of mental disorder that forms as you grow old, it won't matter much. Not to mention, they will still not really be able to perform certain task.

    1. Re:Even if they can walk... by ArcadeMan · · Score: 2

      You can say that again. But don't forget that if you have some type of mental disorder when you grow old, it won't matter much. Not to mention, you will still not really be able to perform certain tasks.

      I need to go to the grocery store now.

      Emma, have you seen my onion? I can't go outside without an onion on my belt now, can I? Oh, and get me a nickle so I can buy a newspaper, my dear. Are we out of orange juice? Are you ready yet? We're going to miss our plane for Florida! Never mind your make-up, just grab your wig!

      Oh, that darn voice thingy on the electro-typewriter is still active. Damn you, Steve Gates!

      --
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    2. Re:Even if they can walk... by PPH · · Score: 1

      This is what Cadillacs are for.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
  4. Independence? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Independence?

    ...and can call for help if it moves outside an predefined range

    Sounds more like it's restricting you to a certain area!

  5. What's the worst that could happen? by AioKits · · Score: 1

    Maybe this? If so, I can't wait to get old!

    --
    "Quote me as saying I was mis-quoted." -Groucho Marx
  6. So, mech tech, then. by zarmanto · · Score: 1

    So... much... precedence...

  7. What can possibly go wrong? by Tablizer · · Score: 2

    "and get off my lawn!" BZZZZRP, **poof**

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  8. Commercial by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Herroo, ladies and gentermen, ferrow sararyman. I want to introduce you to de Hoveroundoo...

  9. Keep walking as Long as you can by rmdingler · · Score: 2
    Ah, it's the cardio version of the Hoveround.

    Especially for the elderly, though it hurts none of us, it is vital to keep up the physical exertion that even walking provides.

    Though an admittedly small sample, I've seen a number of elders get down on the motorized seat and never get back off.

    --
    Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.

    Ernest Hemingway

  10. KISS by pubwvj · · Score: 0

    Love how they take something simple and make it complex, failure prone and expensive all in one fell swoop! Blah.

    1. Re:KISS by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 1

      Love how they take something simple and make it complex, failure prone and expensive all in one fell swoop! Blah.

      That's fine, when you get old, just make due with your aluminum walker thing, and a cane. If you choose to be a Luddite, why should I stop you.

      --
      If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
    2. Re:KISS by pubwvj · · Score: 1

      Luddite, huh? So all you can contribute is name calling rather than actual understanding of things. Interesting.

    3. Re:KISS by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 1

      You're an idiot, right? Or maybe a 17 year old with limited brain power. Grow up.

      --
      If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
  11. Imperial Walkers??? by davidwr · · Score: 3, Informative

    Japan has an emperor, therefore ....

    --
    Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
    1. Re:Imperial Walkers??? by MrTester · · Score: 1

      I saw the headline and came in for no reason other than to make certain someone had taken care of the Imperial Walker issue.
      The Empire thanks you for your vigilance.

      -Darth Tester

  12. Disability Act by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The Americans with Disabilities Act has served us well. I haven't been to Japan, but I've visited a few European countries, and would not recommend them to anyone who uses a wheel chair. I here China is similar, and my guess is Japan is too.

    1. Re:Disability Act by techno-vampire · · Score: 3, Funny

      In order to be useful to people using walkers or in wheelchairs, buildings need to have ramps instead of, or along with stairs. I don't know about the rest of Europe, but there's a good reason you don't find ramps in England: until recently, adding ramps meant that the Daleks could get in. Of course, now that Daleks can levitate, that's no longer an issue.

      --
      Good, inexpensive web hosting
    2. Re:Disability Act by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 1

      Japan is probably about the same, perhaps somewhat worse. China is much, much worse. I read an article a while back about someone in a wheelchair attempting to tour China. Fortunately, they enjoyed a challenge, because it certainly was one.

  13. Elderly Gundam Pilots by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    The 'G' in Gundam must stand for geriatric!

    BURRRRNING ARTHRITIC FINGERRRR!

  14. Get Off My Lawn by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 1

    I think this is terrific technology that has a great potential to help old people both now and in the future when you and I will be old.

    It all seems a bit "hoaky" now, kind of on the interesting side of lame, but remember, this is how ideas start out: A basic idea that has to be developed.

    I'm 50 now, which makes me a decrepit old man by Slashdot standards, but I expect to have a "helper robot" when I retire in 15 years.

    --
    If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
    1. Re:Get Off My Lawn by techno-vampire · · Score: 2

      I'm 50 now, which makes me a decrepit old man by Slashdot standards...

      I'm 65, and by my standards you're still a kid. I have a number of chronic medical conditions, including osteoporosis, but I still stand straight and don't need a walker, or even a cane. You don't have to be decrepit by the time you're ready to retire unless you don't try to take care of yourself or your health is considerably worse than mine. (Until recently, I was taking 33 pills/day, all but four by prescription.) Yes, it's nice to know that these devices may soon be available for those who need them, but it's even nicer to know that for now, at least, I'm not one of them.

      --
      Good, inexpensive web hosting
  15. tech is cool and all but..... by hurfy · · Score: 1

    That walker doesn't look all that great. It is very far forward in front of the person. The best wheeled ones let you walk in between the handles like the standard alum ones do. Even the common wheeled ones are closer to you than this one is. It appears to lack support for..umm..walking. Besides a motorized walker just sounds like trouble. It is going to pull grandma along without pulling her over?

    If you insist on high tech there is one that shines a laser on the ground to show you where to step, kinda cool for Alzheimers and stuff.

    That back support is cool but I can't see a nursing home paying over $1000/month, they balk at a $150 patient lift.

    1. Re:tech is cool and all but..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I had a thought recently...(I get every now and then). Inspired by a link on a /. post about a bicycle "helmet," actually an airbag the expands to the shape of a helmet. See http://www.hovding.com
      This is worn around the neck like a thick scarf. It has sensors and when it senses a fall it inflates, similar to an automobile airbag. I though, why stop there? Elderly people over 70 start to fall. Fall prevention training, or Tai Chi, helps. But how about an airbag vest or something. The two main things are already invented: airbags, fall sensors, and a computer, oh, an app that deciphers when to deploy the bag.
      As the armchair inventor of the idea, I give my invention to the world, free.