iShoe: Nasa Technology Aids Senior Citizens

The iShoe won't help senior citizens walk on the moon, but its NASA technology will help rehabilitate the wearer's ability to balance. The insole was originally developed for NASA to enable astronauts to balance in outer space, where it has been tested extensively by astronauts aboard the space shuttle and Mir space station. For $10, the piece of NASA technology is a steal. Especially since it not only helps to reduce falls, but automatically notifies caregivers by phone if a fall were to occur. The iShoe will be able to help over one quarter of senior citizens who chronically fall down. This is no laughing matter though, falling is the leading cause of accidental death in adults over 85 and likewise causes over 300,000 broken hips a year. Not only is the team smart, consisting of an astronaut, NASA Chief Scientist, Division of Human Adaptation and Countermeasures, the Chair of the Department of Health and Human Performance at the University of Houston, and founder and CEO, Erez Lieberman from MIT, the actual shoe is intelligent too: "The insole provides a diagnostic readout to a wearer or clinician through any computer. If balance is compromised, the insole uses tactile stimulation to prevent falls and for rehabilitation." We've contacted Erez and look forward to hearing more of his thoughts on the underlying technology and the product distribution plan.