Development of a Wearable Walking and Standing Aid for Elderly People

Wearable walking and standing aids have emerged as promising assistive technology devices to support elderly people in promoting mobility for sustainable healthy ageing. However, there is lack of research in this area, which necessitates the present work. In this study, a wearable walking and standing aid was developed for elderly people using the Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) method, and the device was tested for its effectiveness based on lifting capability. Through a series of engineering design processes, including conceptual design, detailed design, simulation, analysis, fabrication, and assembly, a prototype was developed and tested. The results reveal that the prototype, which supports thighs and calves, is capable of helping the user to stand and sit. The experimental results indicated a lifting capability surpassing the expected theoretical model by almost 43%. Nevertheless, several recommendations are suggested to further improve the prototype in an effort to develop a more effective and reliable wearable walking and standing aid for elderly people.