High-Tech Walkers Could Help Japan's Elderly Stay Independent 34
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.
How about both? (Score:2, Interesting)
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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.
I saw this movie (Score:2)
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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? [wikipedia.org]
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Came for the Rojin-Z reference. Left satisfied.
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Came for the Robotics Notes reference to Mizuka Irei's prosthetic legs walking her off a cliff, and left hungry
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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.
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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 gra
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This is what Cadillacs are for.
What's the worst that could happen? (Score:2)
So, mech tech, then. (Score:2)
So... much... precedence... [google.com]
What can possibly go wrong? (Score:2)
"and get off my lawn!" BZZZZRP, **poof**
Keep walking as Long as you can (Score:3)
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.
KISS (Score:1)
Love how they take something simple and make it complex, failure prone and expensive all in one fell swoop! Blah.
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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.
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Luddite, huh? So all you can contribute is name calling rather than actual understanding of things. Interesting.
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You're an idiot, right? Or maybe a 17 year old with limited brain power. Grow up.
Imperial Walkers??? (Score:3, Informative)
Japan has an emperor, therefore ....
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The Empire thanks you for your vigilance.
-Darth Tester
Re:Disability Act (Score:4, Funny)
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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.
Elderly Gundam Pilots (Score:1)
The 'G' in Gundam must stand for geriatric!
BURRRRNING ARTHRITIC FINGERRRR!
Get Off My Lawn (Score:2)
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.
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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
tech is cool and all but..... (Score:2)
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