The age simulation suit GERT consists of a set of separate components. By their interaction an effect very similar to the impairments of the sensomotoric skills in old age can be achieved. Especially the age-related walk and the changed grip ability are simulated very close to reality by the age simulation suit GERT. But also the increased mental load and the soaring movement uncertainty will be understandable when wearing the age simulation suit GERT. Those who tried the age simulation suit GERT will have a better understanding of elderly persons’ behaviour. The age simulation suit GERT is therefore very applicable in the apprenticeship and advanced training of experts but also in the development of products and services for elderly people.
Other simulators, by OIM
Knee walker
The kneewalker prosthetic leg is a prosthesis for AB subjects which consists of an Otto Bock Habermann modular four bar linkage knee joint (3R36), an Otto Bock dynamic foot with toes (1D10, size 26) and a shoe (size 43/9, toe–heel length 0.30 m). The artificial knee is equipped with an extension aiding spring. This spring has two main functions. Firstly, the spring supports the forward motion of the foot and shaft at the end of the swing phase, reducing the swing time. Secondly, the spring enables a prosthetic leg user to raise the prosthetic leg forward against gravity without flexion of the knee, assumed that the motion is not performed with high accelerations. This second feature provides a prosthetic leg user control over the passive knee when positioning the prosthetic foot for the stance phase at low speed. By making use of the extension spring the prosthetic knee remains locked in full extension. The spring generates an internal moment between 45 and 0◦ flexion. The magnitude of the moment is inversely related to the amount of flexion, decreasing down to 0 Nm at 45◦ flexion. Hyperextension of the prosthetic knee is pre- vented by a mechanical stop, i.e. a very high stiffness. The spring produces a maximal internal extension moment of 12.4 Nm in full extension. The length of the shaft can be adjusted to match the contralateral leg length. The mass of the knee–shaft–socket sys- tem is 2.08 kg. The prosthetic ankle-foot system of the kneewalker prosthetic leg is relatively stiff. The leg socket of the kneewalker is constructed in such a way that the prosthetic leg is connected to the upper and lower leg, which is fixed in 90◦ flexion at the knee joint. Because of this construction, the AB subjects are able to put weight on the kneewalker via their knee and the socket/leg connection. In this way the prosthesis can be used in a comparable manner as a prosthesis for knee-exarticulation amputees.
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