Project R-15861

FallAR: assessment and home-based treatment of fall risk with augmented reality (Research)

Falls are a major, costly, and impactful health problem. Most falls occur due to tripping, slipping, and balance disturbances while walking. Unfortunately, clinical walking-ability tests are not tailored to these causes and circumstances of falls. This calls for a different approach, taking into account the abilities required to prevent falls. We address this with augmented reality (AR) technology. With an AR headset, the wearer sees the world as it is. Digital context can be added to this reality via the AR headset. For example, digital dog poop that you must try to avoid stepping in while walking. With these kinds of challenging tasks, the abilities required to prevent falls, such as the ability to avoid obstacles, can be mapped. With the AR headsets we will also investigate whether we can safely and effectively reduce someone's fall risk at home by playfully practicing in AR the abilities needed to prevent falls while walking. This way, we aim to better understand, identify, and improve limitations with walking and to contribute to lowering the risk of falling during walking.

01 October 2025 - 30 September 2029