Design of a haptic cane for walking stability and rehabilitation

Abstract

Rehabilitation is suggested to be achieved by natural walk, and it may require assistive devices. Assistance provided should motivate the patient to use his own muscle strength rather than be dependent upon the device. Therefore, the devices should only provide minimum support required for the safety, stability, confidence building and guidance. These can be achieved with light touch cue provided at the patient's hands. The proposed haptic cane design has an active haptic handle that can give light touch cue depending upon the body orientation sensed through smartphone. The active haptic handle can be manipulated by a Pantograph mechanism. The Pantograph and arm support's positions and orientation are adjustable. The handle and arm support are mounted on the cane having a single wheel, coupled with motor, shaft encoder and an active brake, for achieving a controlled movement. The proposed design will be able to provide rehabilitation and postural stability for the patients.