Walkers, a common adaptive aid for the mobility-disabled, are often not accessible or affordable across the global market. Private insurance and even countries with universal health coverage may not cover the cost of a walker, which can cost $100 or more. My colleagues Anita So, Jacob Reeves, and I at the University of Western Ontario were determined to learn if mobility aid costs could be reduced.
MOBILE DEVICE DEVELOPERS
After interviewing people who use walkers and examining commercially available models, our team developed a low-cost static walker, aka walking frame, by using freely available Onshape CAD software, simple hand tools, a 3D printer, and wooden dowels. Though strength will vary depending on the wood type chosen (e.g., basswood, beech, maple, oak, pine, etc.), we built it from relatively lowerstrength basswood…
