Ambulo
Walking aid for children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)
In collaboration with
Spring 2022
Ambulo is a smart walking aid that empowers children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) to move independently and safely.
Children with OI are prone to bone fractures through daily routines like walking and sleeping. One injury can cause bone and muscle distortion permanently. Thus, most of the OI children avoid independent physical activity.
Ambulo enables OI children from 4 to 8 to move safely and independently. Paired with its mobile app, Ambulo accurately propels and navigates patients through compact indoor space.
Physically
restricted from
exploring the world
Treated
unfairly
for their
physical condition
diagnosed
with
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Motivation to Move
Physical Exercise
Activity With Friends
Exploring New Places
Desire to Blend in
This is the story of Jiaqin
a friend of ours who was diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta soon after birth
Peter’s Difficulties
injury from daily activities
Gender
Age at Diagnosis
Personality
Hobbies
Female
2
Introverted, Optimistic
Drawing, Watching TV
mobility in indoor spaces
not able to move independently
Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)
Known as the brittle bone disease, OI patients are prone to bone fractures and muscle injuries through daily routines such as walking, sleeping, or even sitting. Such symptom is especially prominent before 12 years old, when bones and muscles are rapidly growing. One injury can cause bone and muscle distortion permanently. Because of this, most of the OI patient choose to stay in a static position for most of their time. This lack of movement and exercise would further weaken their muscles, making independent movement harder.
healthy bone
OI bone
This is Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)
Young OI patients go through this vicious cycle:
Like other young OI patients, Jiaqin want to exercise to improve her condition, but is afraid to injure herself.
Lack of exercise would permanently weaken Jiaqin's muscles, which increases the chance of bone fractures
Muscles with Proficient Exercise
Muscles without Exercise
Fracturing their bones during daily activities
Participating in daily activities
Avoiding exercise due to fear of injury
Damaging their muscles permanently
Increasing the chance of bone fractures
Jiaqin is not alone, from a survey completed by 561 OI patients, we understand that Osteogenesis Imperfecta doesn’t only cause physical pain, but mental stress.
2013 National Report on Living Conditions of People with Osteogenesis Imperfecta 1.” Chinadolls, China-Dolls Center for Rare Disorders, 3 Aug. 2013, chinadolls.org.cn
Most patients gave up on getting treatments
300
225
150
75
0
Other
Patient without Treatment
Patient with Physical Therapy
Patient with Operative Treatment
Patient with Medication
Most patients avoid exercising
300
225
150
75
0
Other
No Exercise
Swimming
Wheelchair
Walk with Walking Aid
OI children go through these trade-offs:
they want to:
move and exercise independently
stay in a injury-free environment
participate in activities with their peers
risk of injuries
permanent muscle damage
discrimination against their body condition
but experiences:
How might we assist patients to move independently and exercise freely with confidence?
Ideation & Reflection
Physical Form Prototype
Made out of ash to visualize the streamlined design and examine the stability of the form
Walking Aid
109 CM
108 CM
Male
Female
Median Height of 5 Years Old OI Patients
+ 0
cm
Height Adjustments
Ambulo is designed to fit the height of OI children from 5 to 8 years old. OI children from this age range experience fast bone growth. A single injury can permanently cause body distortion.
Existing wheelchairs and walking aids doesn’t meet the need of OI childrens
One of the biggest challenges that OI children face is moving through compact indoor spaces. Wheelchair’s size and walking-aid’s poor maneuverability restricts patient from moving through compact spaces freely and increases the chance of injury.
Wheelchair:
heavy&cumbersome in size and weight
increase the chance of tripping for OI patients
poor maneuverability in compact spaces
poor maneuverability and mobility
difficult for OI patient to get on to
difficult for OI patient to control independently
difficult for OI patient to control
difficult for care takers to control
Walking-aid:
Bathroom
Risk of Injury:
Difficulties:
Slippery environment significantly increases the risk of falling
Extremely dangerous when taking a shower
Need assistance of an adult when using the toilet and sink
Wheelchairs are difficult to maneuver in this compact space
click on each area to see the pain points
