Mobility Assistance for Older People

Daniel Eck,Jörn Thielecke,Javier Gutiérrez Boronat,Phillipp Richter,Bernd Thomas,Irina Schens,Ahmad Abdul-Majeed,Frieder R Lang,Bettina Williger,Klaus Schilling

doi:10.1155/2012/154374

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a scooter supporting the mobility of older people. The scooter is equipped with a drive assistance system and a special scooter navigation system. The drive assistance system consists of a velocity controller, a steering controller, and a collision avoidance system. In this paper it is demonstrated how the challenging control and steering tasks are modified to increase safety for older people. A special scooter navigation system is presented, to support elderly people in navigating on a safe route through the city using sidewalks, pedestrian lights and crosswalks. For extended positioning requirements a hybrid positioning system was developed combining GPS, WLAN, and inertial sensor data. By combination of these technical improvements it is demonstrated how older people are able to preserve their self-determined and independent life. Usability research was done with focus groups in order to become familiar with global user demands and expectations towards a mobility assistance system. Results show that the system components are expected to assist the user in navigation, steering and speed control rather than to take complete control on the driving situation.

Highlights

Mobility is one of the biggest issues for aging generations
This paper describes a scooter equipped with drive assistance function and a pedestrian navigation system extended with a seamless positioning by the means of GPS, WPS and INS to maintain the mobility of older people
The introduced system was evaluated in a user study with potential users

Summary

Introduction

For most older people mobility is a critical prerequisite of social participation and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) such as shopping, errands or doctor visits [33]. Mobility is critical to maintaining autonomy and selfdetermination in old age. Considering the cognitive and physical losses that are often associated with normal aging processes, there are a number of challenges and potentials regarding the maintenance of independence and high levels of life quality in old age. We define geographic and physical mobility as moving independently and safely from one place to another [32]. Any loss or decline of such mobility posits threats to the individual’s everyday competence and maintenance of autonomy in later life. Innovative, resource-protecting and easy-to-use technical assistance in physical mobility provides much potential for vitality and autonomy of older populations in an aging society

Methods

Results

Conclusion