Design of walking aid for the elderly in the Indian context. Patent filing in progress. Presented at ICIPDIMS'18, awarded best paper award.

1. Redesign of the walking stick for the
Elderly using design thinking in the Indian
Context
Presented by:
Dr. Biswajeet Mukherjee, Shivangi Pande, Daniel Akhil Kumar Pulugujju , Aditya Mathur,
Akshay Kenjale, Maitreyee Gautami, Nikhil Krishna Reddy
National Innovation Contest 2020

2. CONTENT
▹ Introduction
▹ Novelty of the work
▹ Materials & Methods
▹ Results & Discussions
▹ Conclusions
▹ Limitations & Future Scope
▹ References
▹ Acknowledgment
2

3. INTRODUCTION
ISSUE
Large segment of the elderly is affected by pain in the
knees, stooping back and other ailments usually
associated with old age.
● Most of them depend upon walking aid for their
walking.
WALKING STICK
1. It is a product used to facilitate walking.
2. Used by elderly for support, relief and
confidence while walking.
● The purposes of this study was
1. To identify the challenges associated with
the current design of walking aids
available.
2. understand the perception of elderly
people towards them
● Existing patent of walking canes includes
1. The Illuminating walking stick
2. The Generic walking stick
3. The Multi-functional walking stick
3

4. METHODOLOGY4
Anthropometric
Data of Elderly
Direct
Observation
and Analysis
Empathy
Map
Design
Solutions

5. ANTHROPOMETRY
● Anthropometric measurements of human body are used for designing.
○ For Handle width- Hand breadth without thumb, at metacarpal
○ For Grip diameter- Grip inside diameter, Maximum
○ For cavity clearance – Fingertip depth
○ For Height max and min – Gluteal furrow max and min
5
S.No Parameters Min
Percentiles
Max Mean ±SD
5th 25th 50th 75th 95th
1 Gluteal Furrow
Male 59.8 67.5 73 77 81 87 93 76.857 6.422
Female 61 62.87 69 72.75 74.5 78.625 81 71.75658 4.7465
Combined 59.8 63 71 74 78.5 85 93 74.3879 6.2193
2
Hand breadth without
thumb, at metacarpal
Male 6.8 7.5 8.1 8.4 8.8 9.5 10.3 8.466667 0.6108
Female 6.5 6.9 7.4 7.65 8.1 8.615 8.9 7.705128 0.4992
Combined 6.5 7 7.6 8.1 8.5 9.21 10.3 8.093082 0.6762
3
Grip Inside diameter,
Maximum
Male 2.5 2.8 3.5 4 4.2 5.4 5.9 3.902469 0.6967
Female 2.1 2.5 2.9 3.3 3.7 4.3 5.2 3.318182 0.6105
Combined 2.1 2.5 3.1 3.6 4.1 4.615 5.9 3.617722 0.7182
4 Finger-tip depth
Male 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.7 1.8 2 2.1 1.661728 0.2231
Female 0.9 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.675 2 2.1 1.515385 0.2471
Combined 0.9 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.1 1.589937 0.2463

6. DIRECT OBSERVATION &
ANALYSIS
○ Shadowing as a tool is much
stronger than interviews and
questionnaires as it refrains
from bias in answers under the
Hawthorne effect.
○ Questionnaires : A set of
questions for obtaining
statistically useful or personal
information from individuals.
This is implemented by
Interviews and mapped on
Likert Scale
6

7. USER STUDY
Data collected from previous methods

8. Graphical data
of storage
8

9. Graphical data
of Utility
9

10. Pain points on
palm
10

11. PROPOSED DESIGNS
Concept Ideation

12. ”
I want to walk independently but I
don’t want to look like a patient

13. DESIGN
INTERVENTION
1. Add on as
accessory
2. Simple
blendable to
environment
style
CONCEPT 1
FEATURES
1. Handle - three-pronged - reduces
stress on hand ligaments
2. Footrest - protruding part above step
level
3. Storage - can be inverted and hooked
onto a surface
4. Material used: light wood
5. Grooving - accommodating technical
implementation - wires, battery,
lights
13

14. ”
I want to travel alone, without fear

15. DESIGN
INTERVENTION
1. Robust
2. Reliable
3. Great grip
CONCEPT 2
FEATURES
1. Loop-like handle - can hold the upper
part of loop like a regular walking stick
or- insert hand inside the loop, better
grip
2. Base - footrest at step level - used for
circuit storage, useful for reducing
stair height
3. Storage - loop-like handle can be used
as a hook
4. Height adjustment
5. Material used: PVC pipes, plastic ball,
plastic lunchbox
15

16. ”
I want to have a comfortable
experience

17. DESIGN
INTERVENTION
1. Ergonomic
2. Adjustable
3. Comfortable
CONCEPT 3
FEATURES
1. Bulb-like handle - comfort of palm -
used for circuit storage
2. Free handle joint - allows movement
space of more than a hemi-spherical
region
3. Base - three strips - can be bound
together : single foot base or - can be
unbounded : three foot base
4. Material used : Acrylic sheets, plastic
bottle
17

18. FABRICATION

19. Concept 1
● Material used- Wood.
● Existing wooden walking
stick was used as body.
● Three pronged handle is
carved out of a wooden
block, at 120 degree
from each other and
fixed in place of
pre-existing single
handle. Foot rest is
carved out of wood and
inserted into body.
● For circuit implementation,
grooves are made on the body,
so that the circuit
implementation does not
disturb the initial design.
These grooves act as passages
for wires and for fixing the
battery on the body. An
inclined groove is made for
placing the led strip, which is
for lighting.
19
● Inclination is done to give
direction to the light and it
does not cause visual
disturbance to any person
commuting in the opposite
direction.
● Badminton racket grip cover is
placed to handle to give very
good grip to users.
● One pouch is nailed to the
stick. Wrist band is tied to
stick.

20. CONCEPT 1
20

21. CONCEPT 1
21

22. Concept 2
● Materials used – PVC pipes
(0.75 inch diameter),
plastic ball, lunch box
● The plastic ball is used as
joint between the handle
and body.
● Body is made using PVC
pipe.
● Height adjustment rod with
a pin mechanism is
inserted inside through the
base of walking stick.
● Holes were made on the main
body for height adjustment.
● Filing of pipe for the flat
shape for the height
adjustment pin protrude and
easily accessible.
● Base is made using lock and
seal lunch box.
● A hole is made into the lid of
the box.
● The height adjustment rod is
inserted through it. The box is
waterproof, for protecting the
circuit and strong to be used
for footrest.
● All the electronic components
were placed inside of the lunch
box. Wires will go inside of the
pipes for button, led and
switch.
22

23. CONCEPT 2
23

24. CONCEPT 2
24

25. CONCEPT 3
● Materials used – Acrylic
sheets, PVC pipes
● Three stripes were cut
and were stuck in
triangular shape. Three
small stripes were cut
and were stick for the
height adjustment
● Holes are made to outer
body with the help of
soldering rod.
25
● Height adjustment pin was
made using spring and neutral
pin of three pin plug.
● Handle is made using PVC
pipe of 1 inch diameter pipe.
● Base was made using small
stripes of acrylic sheets &
metallic hinge joint and it was
stuck to inner triangular body.
● Arduino, power bank and
battery are attached to the
outer surface of triangular
stick, due to space constraint.
● Remaining electronic
components were placed
inside of the walking stick

26. CONCEPT 3
26

27. CONCEPT 3
27

28. TECHNOLOGICAL
INTERVENTION
Prototyping

29. TECHNOLOGICAL
INTERVENTION
Electronic components used: Arduino Uno, GSM module,
GPS module, MPU 6050,Buzzer,Button,Switch,Battery, LED
29

30. TECHNOLOGICAL
INTERVENTION
Location Lighting
30
Fall
Tracking

31. FALL TRACKING31
GSM - SMSBuzzer Sound
MPU 6050 - Fall Detected GPS Obtaining
Coordinates
GSM - Missed call

32. FALL TRACKING
Tracking the user when fall occurs
1. Whenever user falls while using the walking stick an emergency sms will
be sent to a registered phone number with location details and also
missed call.
Note: If only the stick falls, user can stop sending emergency sms by the long
press of the button immediately.
32

33. TECHNOLOGICAL
INTERVENTION
Fall Tracking Location
33
Lighting

34. LIGHTING34
LED glows
Button Short Press

35. LIGHTING
Illumination
1. User Short press the button for the illumination
35

36. TECHNOLOGICAL
INTERVENTION
Lighting Fall Tracking
36
Location

37. LOCATION37
Buzzer Sound GSM - SMS
Button Long Press GPS Obtaining
Coordinates
GSM - Missed call

38. LOCATION
Sending Location details in emergency
1. Whenever User long press the button until the buzzer sound an
emergency sms will be sent to a registered phone number with
location details and also missed call.
38

39. USER TESTING
Feedback

40. CONCEPT 1: FEEDBACK40

41. CONCEPT 1 : FEEDBACK41

42. CONCEPT 1 : FEEDBACK42

43. CONCEPT 2 : FEEDBACK43

44. CONCEPT 2 : FEEDBACK44

45. CONCEPT 2 : FEEDBACK45

46. CONCEPT 3 : FEEDBACK46

47. CONCEPT 3 : FEEDBACK47

48. CONCEPT 3 : FEEDBACK48

49. RESULTS &
DISCUSSIONS
Final Comparison

50. RESULTS
● The features of the designs are evaluated on 0-2 scale (minimized likert scale).
● Proposed designs scored more score than Existing designs.
50
PD 1 PD 3PD 2 ED 1 ED 2
Designs Balance Grip Ergonomic Adjustable Storage Light Aesthetic Total
ED1 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 5
ED2 2 1 1 2 1 0 1 8
PD1 2 2 2 0 2 2 2 12
PD2 2 2 2 2 2 0 1 11
PD3 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 13

51. 51
THANKS!

52. REFERENCES
● Tutuncu, Z., Kavanaugh, A. Rheumatic disease in the elderly: rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of
North America, (2007). 33(1), 57-70.
● Van der Esch, M., Heijmans, M. and Dekker, J., Factors contributing to possession and use of walking aids among
persons with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care and Research: Official Journal of the American
College of Rheumatology, (2003) 49(6), pp.838-842.
● Informa Healthcare., Karwowski, Waldemar., International Encyclopedia of Ergonomics and
● Human Factors, Second Edition – Vol.3 (2006) CRC Press.
● Norman A. Donald. Design of Everyday Things, expanded and revised. (2013) Basic Books Publishing.
● Moustakas ,Clark., Heuristic research: Design, methodology, and applications. (1990) Sage Publications.
● Chakrabarti, Debkumar., Indian Anthropometric Dimensions for Ergonomic Design Practices (1997). National
Institute of Design; 1997 edition
● Holliday, Robert. Walking Stick Papers. (2018) Al Haines.
● Kroemer, Karl H.E. Extra-Ordinary Ergonomics. (2005) CRC Press.
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53. AKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors acknowledge the support of SEED, DST under Project no. SP/YO/002/2017
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