As America’s population grows older, the challenge of caring for seniors becomes increasingly urgent.
By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older is expected to rise from 58 million to 82 million.
At the same time, there are fewer caregivers available, and health care costs continue to climb.
To address this, a team of engineers at MIT has created a robot called the Elderly Bodily Assistance Robot, or E-BAR, designed to support seniors as they move around their homes and prevent falls—the leading cause of injury among older adults.
E-BAR is not your typical walker or wheelchair. It acts like a set of robotic handlebars that follow a person from behind, providing support when needed. Seniors can walk independently or lean on E-BAR’s arms for stability.
The robot can even lift someone from sitting to standing and back again, all while moving smoothly and securely.
What makes E-BAR unique is its built-in airbags, which can instantly inflate if the person starts to fall, preventing injuries without the need for bulky harnesses or wearable devices.
Harry Asada, a professor of engineering at MIT, explains that many older adults resist using physical aids because they feel awkward or cumbersome, while others avoid movement out of fear of falling.
The design of E-BAR aims to change that by offering support that is both effective and easy to use. “The handlebars go anywhere and provide support anytime, whenever they are needed,” Asada says.
Currently, E-BAR is controlled with a remote, but future versions are expected to be more autonomous, following users around the house and offering help without manual control. The team is also working to make the robot smaller and more agile so it can navigate tight spaces more easily.
MIT graduate student Roberto Bolli, who helped design E-BAR, believes eldercare is a major challenge that technology can help solve.
He points out that more seniors are choosing to age at home, but many still need assistance to move safely. E-BAR is designed with this in mind, allowing seniors to walk, sit, stand, and even get over the edge of a bathtub with ease and confidence.
The robot’s design is carefully thought out to fit through standard doorways, support the full weight of an adult, and allow for natural movement. Its heavy base is equipped with special wheels that can move in any direction, making it highly maneuverable. A series of interconnected bars extend from the base to lift the person smoothly, while its U-shaped handlebars provide stable support.
E-BAR was tested with a senior volunteer at MIT’s lab, proving it could help with everyday activities like bending down to pick something up or reaching for items on high shelves. It even assisted the volunteer in stepping out of a simulated bathtub—one of the most challenging tasks for those with limited mobility.
In the future, Asada’s team hopes to add machine-learning algorithms that can predict when a person is at risk of falling, allowing the robot to respond even faster. “We want to provide continuous and seamless support as a person’s needs change with age,” Asada says.
With more seniors wanting to live independently, robots like E-BAR could become a crucial part of everyday life, offering safety and freedom to those who need it most.
