Design of an Indoor Robotic Walking Care Device for Daily-Activity Activation of the Elderly

Abstract

In this paper, an indoor robotic walking care device to assist the daily activity of the elderly is proposed. The proposed robotic walking care device was designed to provide support for daily activities, especially standing-sitting, walking, and toileting, based on the concept of the International Classification of Functioning and a modified V-shaped process while accounting for human-machine interactions. A prototype of the proposed device was designed and built on the basis of the concept, which implemented power assisting wheels and a lifting device. Risk assessments for different use cases and risk reduction measures against possible hazards were conducted using a three-step method to ensure safety while using the device. The validity of the proposed device was quantitatively verified through preliminary tests of standing-sitting, walking, and toileting motions in a care facility.