After accidents, surgery, strokes, or other musculoskeletal diseases, older persons require the delivery of at-home or at nursing home of physical rehabilitation services to recover/maintain physical condition. In particular, gait is a relevant task in which support is often needed.

Several technological approaches can provide effective support for this task, such us the KOMPAÏ robot which integrates a walking assistance module. Kompaï can be used as an intelligent walker to help residents move around inside the building. He is able to adapt his speed to the user and to assist him vocally and visually throughout his journey. Three (3) assistance modes are available:

• Free Mode: allows a cognitively autonomous resident with slight physical difficulties to go where he wants with the help of the robot. Here the resident controls the speed of the stops, as well as the trajectory. The number of steps taken is displayed on the robot to motivate residents to walk more regularly.
• Guided Mode: The robot takes the moderately autonomous resident physically and cognitively from a starting point to an ending point, by following a trajectory established, thanks to a map. It is the caregiver who sets the journey for the resident. The resident as no control over the trajectory but he can manage the speed and stops since the robot adapts himself to his walking. Like a GPS, the robot indicates the directions to take during the journey.
• Exercise mode: to be used in the presence of a caregiver to do walking exercises. Several trajectories are possible (e.g., forward, backward, curves) and must be selected by the healthcare provider. The resident has no control over the trajectory but he manages the speed and the stops, since the robot adapts himself to his walking. The robot encourages him during his exercises.

Find out more by watching our video.