Reflex seeks to redefine mobility for the elderly who are dependent on walking aids for their daily commute.

Design Team

Kevin Chiam

National University of Singapore

Division of Industrial Design

How Reflex Works

Emphasizing on the notion of dynamic walking, Reflex spots a elastic shoe design which 'blossoms' on contact with the ground. Such not only increases the surface contact, thus making it more stable, but also serves as a reliable anchor for the next step. This motion too cushions the impact as a result of the cane-ground contact, more so when the user leans on the aid.

During the walking transitions, the blossomed profile springs right back into a streamlined design which is shyly unobtrusive. This ensures that the movement is natural and dynamic.

The handle embraces the natural posture of the elderly and spots an inviting grip with generous curvatures at pressure points where they tend to hold.

No longer will one be uncertain about the next step he/she takes—Reflex offers comfort, safety and assurance, all within a simple package.

The Story Behind

The main inspiration primarily stems from living with my grandmother who is 82 years of age. Living with her, I have seen how with old age, as per other elderly, mobility proves to be more daunting and challenging; especially so for those suffering from chronic diseases.

What started this project off was essentially witnessing a fall when I was commuting to university one day. As I stepped forward to assist the elderly, I realized that the shoe (bottom) of the cane was essentially worn off, but not proportionately and is in fact in a chiseled manner.

That sparked my curiosity and I decided to take that lead forward for the project.

Fortunately, that lead propelled the project optimistically as I soon began to uncover other problems such as:

• Unstable walking aid as a result of poor grip on ground (Effects of wear and tear)

• Poor shock absorption (Impact from the ground runs up to the shoulder of the user thus causing pain and aches over prolonged periods)

• Angle of approach (contact with floor) leads to slippage(Elderly do not hold their aid 90 degrees in relation to the ground but more at an angle, thus leading to un-proportionate wear and tear)

• Interferes with range of motion(Stable aids such as quad canes and walkers are often obtrusive and hinders natural movement while normal canes are unstable, though promotes a more dynamic stance)

I chose to deal with this problem essentially because the cane that we know today had unfortunately transformed from an accessory to a depressing and impersonal clinical tool; a turn into an emblem for the old and challenged. I thus seek to redefine that while dealing with the above mentioned issues which had gone unobserved. .