An Assistive Technology for Physical Impairment
Neneng Maya Komalasari, Rohmah Ageng Mursita, R. Fachmy Faisal, and Yuli Afmi Ropitasari
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
Keywords: Assistive Technology, Crutch, Physical Impairment.
Abstract: This research aimed to develop walking aids (crutch) for physical impairment. This research use method
research and development. The development of producing the walking aids was done through seven
production steps, they are: 1) Needs and problems analysis of crutch user, 2) Product design, 3) Product design
validation, 4) Product design improvement, 5) Trial of the product, 6) Product revision, 7) Product making
and product branding. The result of this crutch development research is named CRAIO (Crutch All in One).
After product trials and revisions, this crutch was produced to be more flexible for its users. The crutch height
can be adjusted according to the height of the user, the crutch has cantilever combined by dynamic spring,
and the crutch has several base pads that can be adjusted according to the passed terrains. According to these
assistive technology designs, it provides a new design recommendation for walking aids as an innovation of
market quality product.
1 INTRODUCTION
Assistive technology can help people with physical
impairment to be able to be independent in their
activities. Crutch, for example, is one of the assistive
technologies that help people with physical
impairment to daily mobility. Crutch walking gait is
a primary means for rehabilitation applications for
foot injuries (Gholami, Kovecses, Llagunes
Basically, 2011). Crutches, in one form or another
have been used for 5.000 years (Epstein, 1937) The
crutch is divided into two, namely the axillary
crutches and crutch non axilla. Kruk non axilla can
transfer 40-50% weight, while the axillary crutches
can transfer up to 80% weight. This makes better
axillary crutch to support the weight, so it is more
widely used crutch axillary crutches users (Rahmi,
2013).
In general, people with physical impairment using
crutches on the market. For most people, this crutch
has many deficiencies, including brittle, less
comfortable in the armpit crutch, and not flexible
when used to its users (Shabas and Sheiber, 1986;
Miski, 2016).
Crutches development based on ergonomics and
anthropometry, which means based on the knowledge
that the appropriate measurement is intact and the
problems - the problems of human interaction with
technology that made possible the existence of an
optimal system design technology. The purpose of
this research is to develop a crutch based on the
analysis of the users needs crutches. Expected later to
make updates crutches on the market that is more
convenient and flexible, so that the crutch users can
perform their daily activities comfortably.
2 METHOD
The metodh used in this research is the research and
development (R&D). Development tools is making
these crutches with eight stages, namely: 1) Analysis
of the needs and problems of the crutch, 2) Product
Design, 3) Validate Product Design, 4) Improvement
of Product Design, 5) Trial Product, 6) Revised
Product, 7) Making the products and giving the name
of the product, 8) Evaluation.
3 RESULTS
Based on interviews and observations of the crutches
which have found it difficult to bring crutches to a
variety of terrain (rocky, slippery, steep), felt pain in
the palm of the hand and handle part in the armpits,
and crutches are also easily broken due to less robust
530
Komalasari, N., Mursita, R., Faisal, R. and Ropitasari, Y.
An Assistive Technology for Physical Impairment.
In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Educational Sciences (ICES 2017) - Volume 2, pages 530-534
ISBN: 978-989-758-314-8
Copyright © 2018 by SCITEPRESS – Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved

in supporting pedestal body. Here is a crutch team
development model developed.
1. Product Components
Of products walker crutch that we made has
several components and these components has
its own function itself. The crutch component
comprising:
a. Forearm
Figure 1 illustrates the support of thick
rubber, combined with a spring at the
bottom. When worn will feel soft to the
armpit. We can see the support of alternative
compilers to be made as shown below:
Figure 1: Forearm Crutches.
Picture Descri
p
tion
The support is made of rubber
combined with a spring force
on the bottom
b. Adjusted Handle
Figure 2 has been made from aluminum with
2 design, 1) aluminum covered with a
sponge to make a handle not slippery by the
hand sweat. This section attached to the
stainless steel rods with kelingan process for
attachment. The second alternative is
aluminum rod coated sponge attached to the
trunk settings crutch with bolts and nuts so
that the hand grip can be adjusted according
to the size of the wearer.
Figure 2: Adjusted Handle.
c. Function Settings
Altitude can be adjusted according to the
desired size with the function settings.
Function settings here shaped as a fastener
hole. Expected from the hole can tighten the
set long and short .For more details can be
seen as shown below:
Figure 3: Under the support of crutch.
2. Product Concept
Having in mind the existing product
components, then proceed with the drafting of
which combine the functions. Thus the product
components that have to be got concepts as
follows:
Figure 4: Overall crutch.
Specifications:
Part of: (1) Material Stainless steel 1 and ¾
diameter with a thickness of 0.8 and 1mm, (2)
Section armpit dynamic blend of rubber and
springs, spring length 10cm.
Bottom: (1) Material Aluminium 1mm
diameter, (2) Pedestal rubber vbelt CVT
supported by the iron plate with 0,6mm
thickness 5 mm long 10 cm Ring iron clad 8mm
diameter hose.
3. Under the Support Section
Here is the bottom cantilever designed that
adjusts to the terrain.
An Assistive Technology for Physical Impairment
531

Under Support of Type
Crutch
Information
1. For ordinary floor or smooth
roads)
The support is standard with the crutch designed for
terrain with smooth roads like the floor. Tile and
asphalt.
2. For the rocky gravel roads The support is modified with the motor CVT vbelt
material which has been revamped and adapted to
gravel roads and rocky, shown on the bottom like
serrations with hard rubber materials.
3. For the road with field moist
soil and grass)
The support is modified with the motor and the CVT
vbelt material circular iron wrapped with a rubber
hose. With these modifications, the style fulcrum
become wide and large, have been adapted to the soil
is moist and the grass
3.1 Method of Operation Case
How to apply these crutches are some points that must
be done step-by-resistant are as follows:
1. Set the appropriate length of the stick height.
The trick is to adjust the position of the hole by
pressing the two protrusions on the hole in the
bottom of the stick. Do not get too attached to
the armpit, allow approximately two fingers. If
it is too stick will hit the nerves in the armpit and
arm will feel pain if too much pressure.
2. Set the hand grip to maximize the strength of the
hand holding the stick while it is running. The
burden should be minimized so that the pedestal
is at hand. Make adjustments on the part of the
hand grip size can be adjusted.
3. When walking, do not slouch, because it is less
good for the spine. Cultivated walk upright.
4. If using 1 stick, the stick is held on the healthy
side. When walking, step foot and stick together
then step your good leg, and so on.
5. To the rocky terrain and wetlands could be put
on the foundation that has been provided.
After designing the crutches, the team made a
name on the crutches that have been made. The team
gave the name "CRAIO" which has a length of crutch
all in one. Few things in this naming crutches hope
this development could include the needs of the users
of crutches in daily life and can be an accessible walk
in every field and place.
4 IMPLEMENTATION
4.1 Planning
4.1.1 Function
Walker was created to help the user mobility crutches
in the running quality of life, other than that this tool
is a technology that helps contribute to the quality of
life for users of crutches. The advantage of this tool
technology can be considered, and can dramatically
improve the lives of someone who has obstacles in
running, if the tool is not used it will affect the
difficulty to access other devices or provide barriers
to mobility for the subject.
4.1.2 Comfort
In terms of comfort or ergonomics of the tool is
designed as comfortable as may be seen from some of
the convenience features embedded as a buffer spring
ICES 2017 - 1st International Conference on Educational Sciences
532

dynamic and silicon for supporting the armpits so as
not to cause pain like that have been complained by
the subject, buffer spring is flexible adjustable adjust
the weight of the user's body, besides other comforts
like a cantilever down to suit the terrain ranging from
smooth roads, graveled and moist soil or grass.
4.1.3 Aesthetics
The tool is designed with attention to aesthetic value
that these tools in addition to providing benefits can
also be used without making others feel sorry for
users, the design of this tool follows the design tool
on the market with a few modifications to the design
of the tool does not look strange.
4.2 Implementation
4.2.1 Effectiveness
Visible indicator of the effectiveness of the role and
functions of the background that is whether or not the
activity help users of previous activity so that it can
be concluded that an appliance is said to be effective.
4.2.2 Efficiency
Efficiency is a product or has the flexibility as easily
be carried in a variety of situations elasticity,
lightweight, reasonably priced but have a high
mobility because it is designed that facilitate the
users.
4.2.3 Effectiveness and Efficiency
From the above data it can be concluded the
acquisition of this tool against efiktifitas and
efficiency is very satisfactory means this equipment
in accordance with expectations based on user ratings
crutches. Seen from the figure 1.
Figure 1: About effectiveness and efficiency crutch.
In the evaluaition of the effectiveness (function
tolls, the reliance on the tools, comfort, harmony
tools, and confidence in using the tools) and
efficiency (heavy tools, flexible, easy to carry, easy
operation of the device. The acquisition of this tool
on the effectivenes and efficiency of the tool is very
satisfactory means in accordance with expectations.
5 DISCUSSION
According to the crutches for the next tool can be
painted or in the airbrush and the settings can be
shaped nut or bolt that can be set with a set of tools to
make it easier to install / release / menyetting crutches
crutches without having to bring it to the workshop.
For further development can create a crutch with a
material lighter and stronger materials such as
aluminum dural the main ingredient of the design of
a walker, and for the next innovation tools can be
Memba
ntu
Dalam
Aktifitas
Keterga
ntungan
Terhada
p Alat
Kenyam
ana n
Keserasi
an
Desain
Keperca
yaan
Diri
Terhada
p Alat
Berat
Alat
Fleksibe
l
Mobilita
s
Mudah
Pemaka
ian
Perolehan Subjek
100 100 67 100 100 67 100 100 67
Batas Keberhasilan
67 67 67 67 67 34 67 67 67
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Efektifitas Dan Efisiensi
An Assistive Technology for Physical Impairment
533

folded or separated pairs in order to facilitate the user
in storage or when not being used without changing
the power tool the spring and the closing part from
being pinched.
6 CONCLUSION
The result of this crutch is named CRAIO research
development (Crutch All in One). After product trials
and revisions, this crutch was produced to be more
flexible for its users. The crutch height can be
adjusted According to the height of the user, the
crutch has cantilever combined by dynamic spring,
the crutch has several base pads that can be adjusted
According to the passed terrains. According to
Reviews These Provides assistive technology design
a new design recommendation for walking aids as an
innovation of market quality product.
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