Clinical evaluation of Guido robotic walker

The Guido is a robotic walker that provides navigation and obstacle-avoidance assistance. Engineering tests have found that the device performs adequately and presents no hazard to the user. The performance of the Guido was compared with a low-tech mobility aid, the Assistive Mobility Device (AMD) d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of rehabilitation research and development 2008-01, Vol.45 (9), p.1281-1294
Main Authors: Rentschler, Andrew J, Simpson, Richard, Cooper, Rory A, Boninger, Michael L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged, 80 and over
Algorithms
Analysis of Variance
Blindness
Cardiovascular disease
Care and treatment
Equipment Design
Equipment Safety
Humans
Nursing homes
Older people
Robotics
Safety and security measures
Self-Help Devices
Self-help devices for the disabled
Surveys and Questionnaires
Visually disabled persons
Visually Impaired Persons
Walkers
Walkers (Orthopedic apparatus)
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Description
Summary:The Guido is a robotic walker that provides navigation and obstacle-avoidance assistance. Engineering tests have found that the device performs adequately and presents no hazard to the user. The performance of the Guido was compared with a low-tech mobility aid, the Assistive Mobility Device (AMD) developed at the Atlanta Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, in trials involving older adults with visual impairments. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Guido could increase the safety and mobility of elderly visually impaired individuals in supervised care facilities. Subjects traversed an obstacle course with the Guido and the AMD. Completion time, obstacle/wall contacts, and reorientations were compared for both devices. No significant differences were found between the devices for any of the tests. The Guido did not perform better than the AMD during the trials. Revisions to the device as well as a change in subject requirements and testing protocol may produce different results.
ISSN:0748-7711
1938-1352
DOI:10.1682/JRRD.2007.10.0160