Assistive tech for restorative care and geriatrics on the rise

Developed by Texas-based startup Straptech, Ara is designed to supply the visually impaired with a sensor-driven product that’s extra dependable than a white stick.

It has specialised parts positioned in every shoulder strap and in the principle core that’s worn across the chest, to supply an prompt alert via haptic suggestions. The depth of the vibration varies and is restricted to the sort of impediment detected by the system. “The vibration is strongest when Ara detects a curve or a gap within the person’s path,” a company spokesperson told Mint at CES 2023.

“A cane gives a certain degree of independence but it doesn’t solve many problems like obstacles or barriers. You have no certainty on where to look, so having the device tell you up or down or middle, really guides you in a much better way,” mentioned Apolinor in a press release.

Ara is without doubt one of the many assistive and accessibility tech merchandise that have been showcased on the world’s largest shopper tech present earlier this month. Assistive applied sciences, which assist the bodily challenged navigate on a regular basis life, are anticipated to choose up quick in 2023, not simply globally but in addition in India.

Physical rehabilitation in India is a $17 billion market, mentioned a report by market analysis agency Redseer, which emphasised on the necessity for tech pushed options. The report mentioned the market consists of restorative care (restoration after a fancy surgical procedure), geriatric care and ache aid. Consumers, it added, usually are not happy with rehab options offered by hospitals for the time being.

The want for such gadgets has additionally been acknowledged by well being organizations and governments.

According to a March 2022 report by WHO-UNICEF, greater than 2.5 billion folks want a number of assistive merchandise, similar to wheelchairs, listening to aids and apps that help communication and cognition. Over a billion folks should not have entry to them, particularly in low- and middle-income international locations.

CES 2023 had round 78 world corporations exhibiting merchandise that may assist folks overcome bodily challenges, starting from disabilities that impression the power to maneuver freely, watch TV and even play video video games. For occasion, one other US-based startup, Biomotum Health, showcased a light-weight system known as Spark, which might help folks with mobility points attributable to strokes or different neurological situations. The exoskeleton is constructed from light-weight carbon fiber and is worn across the legs. It makes use of a single rechargeable, interchangeable lithium-ion battery to energy the DC motors that drive ankle actuation.

As the person tries to elevate the foot, the system helps it up, which makes it simpler for the person to stroll.

Ray Browning, CEO of Biomotum Health, mentioned that the product has seen appreciable curiosity from the medical neighborhood in India and is present process medical trials and is a yr away from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance.

“We have held preliminary conversations about bringing this expertise to India. There is extra of a chance there than we anticipated. The preliminary clients will likely be physiotherapy clinics,” he said.

Startups aside, large electronics firms like Sony and Samsung are also working on similar products. For instance, Samsung is adding a visual aid solution called Relumino in its TVs that will allow users with low vision to watch TV content clearly.

Sony, on the other hand, announced Project Leonardo, which is a customizable controller kit that will help the physically challenged play video games on the PlayStation 5 console.

“It is built to address common challenges faced by many players with limited motor control, including difficulty holding a controller for long periods, accurately pressing small clusters of buttons or triggers, or positioning thumbs and fingers optimally on a standard controller,” mentioned Hideaki Nishino, Senior Vice President, Platform Experience at Sony Interactive Entertainment.

To be certain, adoption in India has been restricted to date, however trade consultants mentioned it’s slowly selecting up. Aashish Contractor, director, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine at Reliance Foundation Hospital and Vijay Raaghavan, director of AI options supplier Fractal Analytics, mentioned excessive pricing has restricted adoption to date.

Raaghavan added that rising consciousness of self-care is main to extend in consumption although. “The availability of a specialist in orthotics and prosthetics in hospitals can be essential to drive adoption,” he said.

Divya Prabhat, consultant ENT at Jaslok Hospital, said that adoption is higher in hearing-related ailments. “Many doctors in India are also recommending such hearing amplification devices to patients. Many of these hearing amplification devices are now digital and can be programmed as per the hearing loss. If there is a loss at a particular frequency amplification can be given at that particular frequency,” she added.

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