MIT unveiled E-BAR, a robot that accompanies seniors and prevents falls. It has already been tested in the laboratory and is planned for home use.
MIT developed E-BAR, a mobile robot that assists seniors with walking and sitting. It offers stability, prevents falls with airbags, and aims to reach homes and nursing homes to facilitate independent aging.
MIT's E-BAR robot was designed to provide physical support to older adults.
MIT unveiled E-BAR, a robot that accompanies seniors and prevents falls. It has already been tested in the laboratory and is planned for home use.
A team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a robot designed to assist older adults with everyday tasks and prevent falls, one of the leading causes of injuries in older adults. The solution is called E-BAR , which stands for "Body-Assisted Robotic Assistive Device for Elderly People."
The device was designed to provide physical support at key moments: walking, sitting, or standing up. It can also follow the user thanks to a system of omnidirectional wheels that allow it to move without having to turn.
How the E-BAR robot works
The MIT team explained that many older adults don't use physical aids because they find them uncomfortable, while others avoid moving for fear of falling. E-BAR aims to address both challenges with an accessible approach: mobile grab bars that fit the body, without the need for harnesses.
Tested in laboratory environments, this robot features 18 adjustable bars to provide stability in different postures. It also includes a car-like airbag system that activates in the event of a fall to protect the user from impact.
Harry Asada, a professor at MIT and one of the people responsible for the development, explained:
“We designed robotic handlebars that accompany the person and offer support at all times.”
From the laboratory to the real world
For now, the robot is controlled remotely. However, researchers plan to include automated functions that allow it to act autonomously. They are also working on a lighter, more compact version, designed to navigate hallways and doorways with ease.
To design it, the team interviewed potential users and caregivers to understand what features were needed. The priority: that the robot be stable, easy to use, and useful in tight spaces.
One of the designers, Roberto Bolli, explained:
“We want people to be able to age in their homes, without always depending on human caregivers.”
One of the key advantages of the E-BAR is that it allows for a clear front view and does not require the user to remain stationary inside the robot, something that sets this invention apart from other models.
The future of the robot: technical and legal challenges
The MIT team plans to present E-BAR's progress at the IEEE Conference on Robotics and Automation. They are also considering creating a startup to commercialize this and other technologies related to elder care.
The project already has a patent filed and could be licensed to interested companies. However, one of the main obstacles is regulatory approval and potential legal risks should a technical failure occur.
"We believe that for these robots to reach homes, we also need to work on laws that support their use," Bolli added. According to the researcher, the combination of an aging population and a lack of caregivers justifies the need for innovative solutions like E-BAR.
