The i-Walk Lightweight Assistive Rollator: First Evaluation Study

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Assistive Technology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Robots offer significant potential as assistive devices for individuals with movement impairments and mild cognitive deficits.
• The i-Walk intelligent robotic rollator is a lightweight device designed to provide cognitive and mobility support.
• It targets the elderly and individuals with light to moderate mobility impairments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the utility, usability, safety, and technical performance of the i-Walk robotic rollator.
• To evaluate the device through a clinical study involving real patients.

Main Methods:

• A clinical study was conducted at a rehabilitation center in Greece.
• Participants included patients with mild to moderate cognitive and mobility impairments.
• The study involved pre-defined use cases, including rehabilitation exercises and daily living activities, with objective performance measures and subjective questionnaire-based evaluation.

Main Results:

• Technical modules of the i-Walk system demonstrated satisfactory performance under real-world conditions.
• Objective performance measures indicated successful operation during various tasks.
• Subjective evaluation revealed that users generally perceived the platform as safe, reliable, and beneficial.

Conclusions:

• The i-Walk intelligent robotic rollator is a viable assistive device for individuals with mobility and cognitive challenges.
• The device shows promise in enhancing rehabilitation and daily living activities for its target user group.
• Positive user feedback underscores the potential of intelligent robotic rollators in assistive care.