Smart Rollators Aid Devices: Current Trends and Challenges

Abstract

Mobility loss has a major impact on autonomy. Smart rollators have been proposed to enhance human abilities when conventional devices are not enough. Many human–robot interaction systems have been proposed in the last decade in this area. Comparative analysis shows that mechanical issues aside, they mainly differ in first, equipped sensors and actuators; second, input interface; third, operation modes, and fourth adaptation capabilities. This article presents a review and a tentative taxonomy of approaches during the last 6 years. In total, 92 papers have been reviewed. We have discarded works not focused on humanrobot interaction or focused only on mechanical adaptation. A critical analysis is provided after the review and classification, highlighting systems tested with their target population.