As people age, the risk of falls also increases especially to those ages 65 and above. According to CDC, among older adults, 36 million cases of falls are reported yearly. Falls are the leading cause of injury and death caused by injury in people ages 65+. This makes it necessary for caregivers and older adults to take precautions that would minimize the risk of falls as much as possible.

Assistive devices such as canes, railways, non-slippery mats, and others are all effective in helping reduce falls, however, they are not 100% effective. In 2019, a Chinese tech company introduced wearable airbag technology that would immediately inflate when it detects a motion or angle of fall. 

This blog will discuss this amazing technology citing its benefits, pros, cons, and how it is used. 

The Wearable Airbag for Seniors

Suzhou Yidaibao Intelligent Technology Company is a Chinese company that produces different products. One of their best innovations is the wearable airbag technology that seniors can wear to catch the wearer and ensure that they land on a soft cushion instead of the floor. 

Released in 2019, these inflatable cests and belts are equipped with a micro gyroscope and processor that detects the motion and angle of fall. Once a fall is detected, the airbag inflates in just 0.18 seconds, significantly reducing the risk of serious injury by providing a cushioned landing.

According to CDC, 1 out of 5 falls results in head injury or broken bones. The wearable airbag prevents those injuries from happening. 

Types of Wearable Airbags

The wearable airbags come in two variations: a vest and a belt. Both have different benefits, functions, and areas that protect the body. 

Airbag Vest 

This airbag vest variation is worn as a vest that is wrapped around the trunk area. It has two models:

YDB Vest 2.0

• Colors available: Black, Deep Sky Grey, and Jupiter Red

• Areas it Protects: Skull Forehead, Shoulder blades, Back, Chest, Caudal vertebrae (tail bone, Hip joint

• Weight Around: 1.5 kg

YDB Vest 1.0

• Colors available: Black

• Areas it Protects: Skull Forehead, Shoulder blades, Back, Chest

• Weight Around: 1.3 kg

Airbag Belt

The airbag belt variation is wrapped around the waist like a normal belt. It is only 0.85 kilograms which makes it lightweightt and easy to carry. This variation protects the hip and gluteal area. 

Benefits of Wearing the Airbag

The wearable airbag has many benefits including:

• Allowing older seniors to maintain their independence and mobility with increased confidence knowing they have an extra layer of protection.

• It includes a microchip that collects human movement data 200 times per second and the AI algorithm that analyzes posture.

• Durable and a one-piece woven airbag fabric making it easy to wear every day. 

• Lightweight making it easy to carry every day without causing posture issues. 

Final Thoughts

The airbags are a promising solution to reduce the risk of serious injuries from falls. It can be paired with using other assistive devices like canes, non-slip mats, rails, and other methods to really ensure safety for older adults. 

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