Fraunhofer Institute's i-Stick will call for help if dropped

There's probably never been a better time for gadget-oriented elderly folks, given that there's all kinds of gear designed to keep an eye health-wise on 'em while out and about. Well, our friends at the Fraunhofer Institute have just invented what they're calling the i-Stick, a walking stick that will call an ambulance if it registers that it's laying horizontally on the ground for too long, thereby sending for medical aid to its carrier. (We're still trying to figure out what happens if the cat tips it over in the middle of the night.) So, If you're looking for something for your parents, grandparents, or just some folks that you'd like to keep an eye on, we think that the combination of that Bluetooth life-saving shirt and this i-Stick would be the perfect holiday gifts. Furthermore, the i-Stick's built-in life-saving feature will come in handy when street thugs get beaten down with one of these, giving Grandpa an easy way to call for an ambulance without breaking a sweat. Fraunhofer is apparently still looking for a distributor, so we may have to wait until beyond this winter to actually buy one.

[Via Textually]

[Aaron @ Nov 21st 2006 6:58AM]

Personally I'm getting sick of all this stuff that starts with i.

[William @ Nov 21st 2006 7:02AM]

Me too. But when I start thinking of something else ro name it, my mind is blank..

[ahlich @ Nov 21st 2006 7:09AM]

Cats don't just tip over things by accident. Dogs might...

[Mikie @ Nov 21st 2006 7:15AM]

Yes, cats tip things over on purpose.

[Sean Hattaway @ Nov 21st 2006 10:28AM]

it calls an ambulance if it lays horizontally on the ground for too long... how long is that? I think I'd stick with a Panic Pendet or whatever else my home security can offer.

[GJP303 @ Nov 21st 2006 6:10PM]

why not start starting product names with "a", hey a has alot goin for it, the first letter in the alphabet, and a vowel, and everyone loves a. how does this sound: aPod, pretty sweet, pretty dang sweet.

[124C41 @ Nov 24th 2006 7:43PM]

The panic pendant has a place, but it doesn't work if the wearer doesn't key it. There are many things that can happen that prevents deliberate activation. As far as animals knocking it over, put an "OFF" switch on it. Turn it off when you actually get into bed. [I don't think I've ever been able to reach a phone when I've fallen, including times when I was just getting into bed and SURE that nothing was going to happen.]

As far as the muggers goes, how about incorporating a stun-gun into the cane? Who would look for one there?