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Elderly Airbag Turns Old People into Superballs
Posted by Sean Fallon at 9:40 AM on September 25, 2008
The large elderly population in Japan has manufacturers clamouring to develop devices to assist them. Not surprisingly, they are coming up with some pretty unique ideas. Take this human airbag for instance. The airbag system is strapped onto the body and inflates in 0.1 seconds when it detects rapid movement toward the ground. Strangely, one pocket will be behind the head and another behind the hips—but there is no protection for a forward fall. So, Grandpa is on his own if he should trip and fall face-first in the street. Walk it off, Grandpa...walk it off. [BBC]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
logruszed
Posted 9:54 AM 25/9/08
The words "old" and "balls" in proximity trigger a gag-reflex.
logruszed
Mr.SithNinja
Posted 9:53 AM 25/9/08
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! I <3 you Japan!
Mr.SithNinja
PastorDoodah
Posted 9:53 AM 25/9/08
There is no possibility of this malfunctioning and causing any problem.
PastorDoodah
eljefewatson
Posted 10:27 AM 25/9/08
Unfortunately like your car it's a one time use and $2000 to have grandpa rebagged after a fall. I hope it comes with a kill switch in case junior is riding piggyback facing forward.
eljefewatson
Toshie
Posted 10:21 AM 25/9/08
What was that fad where British hooligans would go around slapping people? I see an opportunity for Japanese hooligans to make their own mark in hooligan history.
Toshie
7raczyk
Posted 9:55 AM 25/9/08
Yeah, keep the population growing, as if the country doesn't have enough people living as it is.
7raczyk
Yetibelle
Posted 11:32 AM 25/9/08
It should go over your head and make you into a Air Bag Ninja
Yetibelle
Griffehpoo
Posted 11:53 AM 25/9/08
I would've expected more of a doughnut deal around the waist, for all around hip protection. Also, hilarity.
Griffehpoo
Hamslicer
Posted 12:43 PM 25/9/08
Reminds me of the anime flick Rojin Z.
Very funny movie about a robotic bed designed to take care of the elderly.
Hamslicer
MyPetFly
Posted 1:06 PM 25/9/08
Jeez, grandpa's dressed up like a sperm again.
MyPetFly
poop-acead
Posted 1:04 PM 25/9/08
@logruszed:
fukin lol
poop-acead
holyroll
Posted 1:38 PM 25/9/08
Invention.... of.... the.... year!!!!
holyroll
Curves Wants a Classic View Default
Posted 8:56 PM 25/9/08
Also useful for drunk people (not that the would feel the fall till the next day anyway).
Curves Wants a Classic View Default
bpapa9013
Posted 12:20 AM 26/9/08
@PastorDoodah: I'm having visions of comfortably seated elderly people suddenly flying out bus/train windows.
bpapa9013
UraniaAstral
Posted 5:51 PM 25/9/08
This is very cool - I'm glad the tech is finally at a point where it is cheap and reliable enough to deploy. We did this 15 years ago with off the shelf hardware and some custom electronics. Check it out:
[www.plymptonia.com]
-Dan
UraniaAstral
achyls
Posted 10:18 AM 25/9/08
This isn't actually a bad idea. It's easier for older folks to brace for a fall towards the front, not so easy when falling backwards. This could have saved my dad's life when he fell backwards.
Altho, what does it look like deflated?
achyls
VideoVampire
Posted 1:31 AM 26/9/08
Just roll around on the ground a bit gramps you'll be a'ight.
VideoVampire
Killjoy
Posted 1:52 AM 26/9/08
"Strangely, one pocket will be behind the head and another behind the hips-but there is no protection for a forward fall."
That's because of the basic nature of ukemi - forward rolls take less energy and cause less impact than back rolls.
I shall now remove my tongue from my cheek.
Killjoy
FrankenPC
Posted 2:42 AM 26/9/08
I need this the next time I go on a bachelor party. I don't know how it does it, but the sidewalk always smacks me in the face.
FrankenPC
gkoinm
Posted 6:23 AM 26/9/08
Move over cow-tipping, there's a new sport in town!
gkoinm
moogoescow
Posted 8:40 AM 26/9/08
The airbag system is strapped onto the body and inflates in 0.1 seconds when it detects rapid movement toward the ground.
Thus immobilizing said old person like a turtle on its back, so their pockets can be relieved of coin purses, bit 'o' honeys, and country buffet coupons.
moogoescow