Dynamic Fall Detection and Pace Measurement in Walking Sticks

Falls are increasingly among the leading causes of elderly injuries and deaths each year. Several of these victims depend on a walking stick or cane for support while walking. Rendering aid more quickly to those who fall may decrease the severity of injury in several cases. In this paper, we propose a dynamic fall detection system embedded into walking sticks and canes. By using a gyroscope chip to measure angular velocity of the stick, we can detect when a user may have fallen. Also monitored by the detection system is the user's walking pace, such that the user will be warned when traveling at paces above his or her normal speed. With different polling frequency levels to preserve energy, we present a low-power device that can potentially improve safety among the elderly.