Taiwan university's smart trolley for the elderly

A Taiwan-designed motorized robotic trolley with ultrasonic and infrared sensors looms as a useful assistant for the elderly in the future. Wang Hsing-hao, a member of the robotic system design group, said the device can be used in the leisure or travel industries as golf carts or airport trolleys. He said the design stemmed from a widespread need among the elderly for help in carrying heavy objects, according to a report by Taiwan's Central News Agency. "We are continuing our (research and development) related to the device," he said, adding they hope the design could be commercialized and put on the market. The CNA report said the trolley attracted attention at an exhibition of devices patented by students and faculty at Southern Taiwan University (STUT) in Tainan. At least 69 patented products and research projects were displayed at the STUT exhibition, which was held to promote university-industry cooperation and the transfer of technology, according to the school. Motorized servant Developed by a student-professor team from STUT's Department of Electrical Engineering, the "servant" can "recognize" and follow its owner and can help carry groceries or other items. It can sound a warning if its "master" runs into trouble, Wang said. An infrared detection system allows the device to ring an alarm if its owner falls to the ground and does not get up after a certain period of time. If the alarm is not shut off manually within a set time, the telephone system attached to the trolley will then automatically make an emergency phone call to advise authorities of a potential problem. The device is also equipped with automatic lighting and can be fit with many other functions. — TJD, GMA News