Innovation
Challenge
A free challenge that leaves room for the imagination, that allows us to give shape to our ideas, and goes further than a simple competition of robots.
New challenge proposed by FIRST® . It consists in imagining an object, an invention that answers current needs or problems, to bring a solution and to describe this solution, both from a technical and financial point of view.
The Team
7 high school students
including 3 rookies and 3 girls
The Innovation
Walking assistant for people
with Parkinson’s disease
The victory
World Innovation Champion in 2021
Parkinson's Disease
2nd most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's
6.3 Millions people around the world
200 000 people in France
60% of Parkinson’s patients are men
Average age of the patients: 55 years old
Physical and psychological symptoms
Main Symptoms
Tiredness
Apathy
Tremors at rest
Muscular stiffness
Freezing
Our project
Our project aims at providing a solution for patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease who develop a “Freezing” symptom.
This particularly disabling symptom can lead to dangerous situations, such as falls, and can cause the patient to limit or even abandon his or her movements.
The main objective of our system is to get the patient moving again, by giving him confidence and fluidity in his movements. This contributes to his autonomy.
The interest of our system is that it is simple to use, that it does not require complex settings like the models that fit on shoes, nor the presence of a cane. The hands are free, which greatly facilitates the patient’s movement.
Freezing
Sudden immobility that can last a few seconds or a few minutes: the feet remain stuck to the ground, the person tramples and is unable to transfer the weight of his or her body to one leg in order to move forward; walking is then impossible.
Our Approach
Step 1
First we consulted specialists from hospitals in Lyon and Lille.
Step 2
We are in the prototype phase for the belt and the smartphone application.
Our solution
The Walk Assistant has been specially designed to adapt to all users.
It is designed and manufactured to be discreet, light, comfortable and easy to use.
It has many assets:
- Its small size (7x5x5 cm) makes it very discreet and light, and allows you to take it everywhere, even when you are not using it
- The materials used (3D case and miniaturized parts) reduce the weight of the product, which is very light, while remaining very robust.
- Designed to be attached to any type of belt, it is easy to install and detach, and does not interfere with movement at all and allows the user to keep the use of his hands.
- The proposed adjustments, including the intensity of the laser, allow the product to adapt to different morphologies, and are simple to perform. The “on/off” button is easily accessible.
- An application on a smartphone, coupled with a control by Bluetooth completes the device.
- Its very competitive price
Our prototype
A small idea of our work …
Next steps
Step 1
Plannification of workshops with patients and professionals
Step 2
Design of a new version of our prototype
Step 3
Building of a series of 50 prototypes
Step 4
We are planning tests with volunteer patients and the support of physicians.
Step 5
Creation of the final version
Step 6
Passage from the prototype to a 1st version of the product.
