trust a robot to catch you

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⦁ Tiny device processes hand movement in real time, storing visual memories with brain-like efficiency

As America ages, the challenge of caring for the elderly becomes increasingly urgent.

With care worker shortages, rising health costs, and changing family structures, MIT engineers think robots might be part of the solution.

Tadaaa! The elderly bodily assistance robot (E-BAR) is a clever mobile device designed to physically support older people and prevent falls as they move around their homes.

Falls are currently the leading cause of injury in adults 65 and older.

The E-BAR functions like a set of robotic handlebars that follow a person from behind.

Users can walk independently or lean on the robot's arms for support.

What's impressive is that the robot can support a person's full weight, lifting them from sitting to standing along a natural trajectory.

The coolest feature?

If someone starts to fall, the robot's arms instantly inflate side airbags to catch them, without causing bruising on impact. This makes E-BAR the first robot able to catch a falling person without requiring them to wear a harness or special equipment.

The current prototype is operated via remote control, but future versions will autonomously follow and assist the user. The team is also working on slimming down the device to make it more maneuverable in tight spaces.

The robot weighs a hefty 220 pounds, but that weight is necessary - its base is specifically designed to support the weight of an average human without tipping or slipping.

Underneath are omnidirectional wheels that allow the robot to move in any direction without pivoting (imagine a car sliding sideways into a parking space).

The most ingenious part is its articulated body made from 18 interconnected bars that can reconfigure like a foldable crane to lift a person from sitting to standing. Two arms with handlebars stretch out in a U-shape, providing a space for the user to stand between and lean against for support.

In lab tests with volunteer seniors, the E-BAR successfully supported people as they bent down to pick something up from the floor, reached for objects on shelves, and even helped lift them over the lip of a bathtub - all tasks that can be challenging for maintaining balance.

With 82 million Americans projected to be over 65 by 2050, robots like E-BAR could help address our looming eldercare crisis. Would you trust a robot to catch you if you started to fall, or would you prefer traditional solutions like walkers and canes?

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