For Mr Leow Cher Hwa, walking used to be something he never thought twice about. But after suffering a stroke in 2022, daily movement became a serious challenge. The 66-year-old was left half-paralysed and spent two months in hospital, dealing not just with physical pain but emotional stress as well.
“I was very pessimistic and depressed. I took it very hard for the first two months,” Mr Leow shared.
Things started to shift in August last year when he was selected for a trial involving a new rehabilitation robot at the Lions Befrienders’ Active Ageing Centre in Tampines. The device was introduced as part of a programme aimed at helping seniors with mobility issues regain confidence while moving.
How the Robotic Balance Assistant Works
Known as the Data-driven Robotic Balance Assistant (DRBA), the robot is described as the first of its kind in the world. It is designed to support seniors by catching them before they fall. The robot uses built-in sensors and artificial intelligence to detect sudden loss of balance and provide immediate support.
The DRBA was demonstrated during a Zumba session on Wednesday, Jan 21, where Mr Leow and other seniors took part in standing activities. Tampines Member of Parliament Charlene Chen was present during the rollout.
Strapped securely to the robot, Mr Leow was able to stand and even dance, something he could not do before without fear. The device allowed him to take part with more confidence, knowing support was there if he lost balance.
Benefits Beyond Safety
Community care providers say the robot does more than prevent falls. According to Lions Befrienders executive director Karen Wee, the DRBA helps seniors move away from wheelchairs and seated exercises.
“DRBA allows them to come off from the machines or their motorised wheelchair, to be able to stand up and join in the standing activities,” she said. “Otherwise, they are only confined to chair Zumba and anything seated down, which means that it further weakens the leg muscles.”
As Singapore moves towards becoming a super-aged society, researchers hope the robot can be used more widely across community care centres to support rehabilitation and independence among seniors.
Cost and Plans Ahead
One challenge remains affordability. The robot is estimated to cost about S$90,000, which is out of reach for most individuals and community groups. To manage this, the research team led by Nanyang Technological University is considering a rental model.
“It has to be a price that the seniors are willing to pay, so we are targeting maybe S$30 to S$40 out of pocket for them,” said Associate Professor Ang Wei Tech, director of NTU’s Robotics Research Centre. “The real cost should be between S$150 and S$200 per session.”
He added that the team is exploring whether government subsidies or philanthropic funding could cover the gap. Discussions with government agencies may take place after the current trial ends.
“We know that there is a lot of funding to allow the seniors to get active,” Assoc Prof Ang said. “Hopefully, we can have some success in lobbying for the government to support this effort.”
The team is also applying for regulatory approval and aims to get the Health Sciences Authority’s approval by June. A smaller home-use version of the robot is planned for later this year.
