An innovative backpack is helping people with the movement disorder ataxia to stand and walk more steadily, reducing their reliance on mobility aids such as walking frames. This is reported by researchers from TU Delft, RWTH Aachen University, Radboud university medical center, and Erasmus MC in the scientific journal npj Robotics.
For many people with a movement disorder, being able to leave the house without a walking frame is a dream. Walking frames are often perceived as heavy, cumbersome, and even stigmatising. A device that leaves the hands free and offers greater freedom of movement is therefore a welcome development.
Inspired by space technology
The idea for the backpack originated over a decade ago at TU Delft and Erasmus MC. The researchers drew inspiration from space technology: large satellites can adjust their orientation without exerting force on their surroundings. “We use the same gyroscopic effect,” explains professor Heike Vallery. “The backpack contains spinning wheels and an advanced control system that resists rotational movements of the torso. It feels a bit like moving through water. This slows down the torso’s motion, providing greater stability and more time to regain balance.”
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