Step Smart

What it does

StepSmart is a next-generation walking stick designed for safety, independence, and peace of mind. It detects falls, alerts carers, tracks location, and much more - all in one sleek, modern design. Built for those who need support, and those who care.

Your inspiration

The core inspiration was the anxiety of not knowing how our vulnerable loved ones are doing in our absence; had they tripped? were they hurt? had they dropped their sticks? These daunting questions are what drove our team to pursue the smart walking stick concept, one that prevents potential accidents, automatically gets help in emergencies and offer support throughout, all to increase independence and peace of mind.

How it works

The Smart Stick
Designed with integrated technology throughout. In the handle, switches and a GPS module track location and user inputs. The stem houses a battery, PCB, status LEDs, buzzer, and charging port. At the foot, infrared sensors detect proximity to objects. Everything is managed by a microprocessor running a custom operating system. The key feature, fall detection, uses an inertial measurement unit to track the stick’s movement. When the data matches the pattern of a fall, the system triggers an alert. To assist with recovery, users can step on the foot to lever the stick upright, using simple mechanical advantage.
The App
On the user’s mobile device, the app connects via Bluetooth. Can control features, settings, and live stats including step count, location, and battery.
The Cloud
A virtual computer to enable communication with other app users (i.e. carers), for automatic notifications in emergencies.

Design process

Starting from a simple idea we aimed to support our elderly parents & grandparents to ensure their safety and our peace of mind. We began with sketches and renders exploring a range of innovative designs before moving to building Prototype 1, a proof-of-concept to support the testing and design of our self-pick-up feature.

As our idea evolved, we gathered user feedback and researched existing products. We discovered which features frustrated users and which assisted users. This data informed the development of Prototype 2, our first fully functioning smart stick, complete with integrated software and electronics. Achieving this milestone allowed us to further test our walking stick’s capabilities and gain more accurate user feedback.

To further refine our design we presented our award winning Prototype 2 at various conferences and competitions, allowing us to engage directly with potential users. This insight drove us to develop our current iteration Prototype 3. Carefully engineered based on real-world testing and user needs, it represents the culmination of our research, design and commitment to creating a truly impactful solution.

How it is different

StepSmart is unique in its dual-user design philosophy, developed not just for the elderly or vulnerable individuals who rely on walking aids, but also for their carers. Unlike traditional walking sticks that prioritise only physical support, StepSmart integrates smart features that support safety, independence, and peace of mind. A key innovation is our patentable foot mechanism, which removes the need to bend down to retrieve a fallen stick - users can simply press down and the handle gently levers back into their hand. This reduces strain and risk of further injury. On the digital side, our app and fall detection system provide real-time alerts, allowing carers to respond quickly to incidents. GPS integration ensures precise location tracking, which is critical if the user is alone or unconscious. By combining mechanical innovation with smart connectivity, StepSmart offers a truly holistic solution - supporting both users and those who care for them.

Future plans

The future of StepSmart is promising. We aim to make the walking stick modular, so users can easily replace worn parts or upgrade with new features. Planned additions include a sound system for carers to check-in via voice call or provide spoken medication reminders. While our focus is the stick, we also see potential in trekking or ski poles by integrating our fall detection and GPS tracking. Durability is also key, with plans for a high IP rating for all-weather use. We’d love to use any prize money to help turn our prototype into a real, finished product - ready to support those who need it most.

Awards

StepSmart won the Apprentice Auotmation Challenge held by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) in 2023.

Find out more here.