The Organizers

Content

Assistive robotics, devices, and technologies are playing a critical role in addressing the needs of an aging population, particularly in promoting independence, enhancing mobility, and reducing risks associated with falls. Among these challenges, fall prevention remains a major concern for the elderly, where fall-related injuries are a leading cause of reduced mobility and loss of autonomy. The psychological impact of falls often leads to a fear of falling, which can confine individuals to their homes and contribute to musculoskeletal decline due to prolonged inactivity. While conventional mobility aids such as walkers are widely recommended, they are often underutilized due to limited usability and lack of adaptability to complex environments. 

In response to these limitations, the EasyWalk project has focused on developing a next-generation smart walker that is affordable, intuitive, and safe. This workshop will present the final outcomes of the EasyWalk project, including the design, implementation, and evaluation of a smart mobility aid that leverages cost-effective sensing technologies to ensure safe navigation without relying on predefined maps. The system interprets user intentions by analyzing leg movements and forces applied to the handlebars, enabling more natural and effective human–machine interaction through shared intelligence. 

In addition to technical presentations and insights gained from the project, the workshop will feature a live demonstration of the EasyWalk prototype, offering participants the opportunity to experience the system’s capabilities first-hand. This interactive session will allow for discussion around challenges, lessons learned, and potential future directions in the field of assistive mobility technologies. 

List of Speakers

1. Luca Tonin, University of Padua, Italy 

2. Giuseppe Sutera, University of Catania, Italy 

3. Sebastiano Vascon, University of Venice, Italy 

4. Muhammad Ishaq, University of Catania, Italy 

5. Anna Polato, University of Padua, Italy 

6. Muhammad Rameez Ur Rahman, University of Venice, Italy