Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a robotic mobility aid designed to address the growing crisis in eldercare across the US. The device, known as the Elderly Bodily Assistance Robot (E-BAR), offers physical support to older adults and aims to reduce fall-related injuries, a leading cause of hospital admissions among the […]
Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a robotic mobility aid designed to address the growing crisis in eldercare across the US.
The device, known as the Elderly Bodily Assistance Robot (E-BAR), offers physical support to older adults and aims to reduce fall-related injuries, a leading cause of hospital admissions among the over-65 population.
Unveiled ahead of its formal presentation at the IEEE Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) later this month, E-BAR has been developed in response to demographic pressures that are straining the US care system.
With the median age of the population now 38.9—nearly a decade older than in 1980—and the over-65 demographic expected to rise from 58 million to 82 million by 2050, researchers say assistive technology is fast becoming essential.
The system has been designed by a team led by Harry Asada, Ford Professor of Engineering at MIT, and graduate student Roberto Bolli.
In its current somewhat clunky form, E-BAR is a remote-controlled robotic frame that follows a user from behind, offering unobtrusive support as they move about the home. It can bear a person’s full weight, lift them from sitting to standing, and—in a key innovation—deploy side airbags to prevent injury in the event of a fall.
“Many older adults underestimate the risk of fall and refuse to use physical aids, which are cumbersome, while others overestimate the risk and may not exercise, leading to declining mobility,” said Asada.
“Our design concept is to provide older adults having balance impairment with robotic handlebars for stabilising their body.”
Constructed on a 220-pound wheeled base, the robot features an articulated spine of 18 linked bars that can adjust in real time. Two U-shaped handlebars extend in front, allowing the user to walk naturally or lean as needed.
The team deliberately avoided harnesses or wearable components, aiming for ease of use and minimal disruption to the user’s routine.
“Elderly people overwhelmingly do not like to wear harnesses or assistive devices,” said Bolli.
“The idea behind the E-BAR structure is, it provides body weight support, active assistance with gait, and fall catching while also being completely unobstructed in the front. You can just get out anytime.”
MIT researchers tested the robot with elderly volunteers in simulated home settings, including challenging scenarios such as reaching overhead, bending down, and stepping out of a bath. The results showed that E-BAR could provide dynamic support in all cases, improving balance and mobility without restricting independence.
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Looking ahead, the team plans to introduce autonomous functionality, allowing the robot to navigate and respond to the user’s movements automatically. Integration with fall-risk prediction algorithms—under separate development in Prof Asada’s lab—could further enhance safety.
“I think eldercare is the next great challenge,” said Bolli. “All the demographic trends point to a shortage of caregivers, a surplus of elderly persons, and a strong desire for elderly persons to age in place.”
The project has received backing from the National Robotics Initiative and the National Science Foundation and sits within a broader programme at MIT to develop robotic solutions tailored to age-related mobility challenges.
Asada notes that robotic assistance may need to adapt over time as a person’s condition evolves. “Eldercare conditions can change every few weeks or months. We’d like to provide continuous and seamless support as a person’s disability or mobility changes with age.”
