A self-righting cane is provided that includes a handle portion having a grip and a collar. A shaft extends from the handle portion and is joined to the handle portion at the collar. A base supporting portion includes a weight disposed within the base supporting portion. The weight has an aperture such that the shaft connecting to the base supporting portion through the aperture. The weight disposed within the base supporting portion self-rights the cane and prevents the cane from falling over.

Devices and systems are described including a walking aid including a linear rod, a hand grip disposed in proximity to a first end of the linear rod, two or more extendable and retractable load-bearing feet at a second end of the linear rod, at least one first sensor configured to detect a parameter of a walking surface, at least one second sensor configured to detect a parameter of the walking aid, a controller including input circuitry configured to receive information regarding the detected parameter of the walking surface from the at least one first sensor and actuation circuitry configured to actuate at least one of the two or more extendable and retractable load-bearing feet in response to the information regarding the detected parameter of the walking surface, and a transmission unit including circuitry configured to transmit the second sensor output to a computing device.

Devices and systems are described including a walking aid including a linear rod, a hand grip disposed in proximity to a first end of the linear rod, two or more extendable and retractable load-bearing feet at a second end of the linear rod, at least one first sensor configured to detect a parameter of a walking surface, at least one second sensor configured to detect a parameter of the walking aid, a controller including input circuitry configured to receive information regarding the detected parameter of the walking surface from the at least one first sensor and actuation circuitry configured to actuate at least one of the two or more extendable and retractable load-bearing feet in response to the information regarding the detected parameter of the walking surface, and a transmission unit including circuitry configured to transmit the second sensor output to a computing device.

One aspect of this disclosure is a pole apparatus. The pole apparatus may comprise a grip segment comprising a cord attachment surface; a pole segment; a tip segment and a cord extending between at least the pole segment and the tip segment. The grip segment, the pole segment, and the tip segment may be arrangeable in a side-by-side disposition. A portion of the cord extending between the pole segment and the tip segment may be positionable on the cord attachment surface in the side-by-side disposition. The grip segment may be removably attachable to the tip segment such that, when the portion of the cord is positioned on the cord attachment surface, the removable attachment of the grip segment to the tip segment may maintain the side-by-side disposition. Aspects of related apparatus, methods, and systems also are disclosed.

One aspect of this disclosure is a pole apparatus. The pole apparatus may comprise a grip segment comprising a cord attachment surface; a pole segment; a tip segment and a cord extending between at least the pole segment and the tip segment. The grip segment, the pole segment, and the tip segment may be arrangeable in a side-by-side disposition. A portion of the cord extending between the pole segment and the tip segment may be positionable on the cord attachment surface in the side-by-side disposition. The grip segment may be removably attachable to the tip segment such that, when the portion of the cord is positioned on the cord attachment surface, the removable attachment of the grip segment to the tip segment may maintain the side-by-side disposition. Aspects of related apparatus, methods, and systems also are disclosed.

A dual-mode cane includes a tip. The tip includes a low-friction surface that contacts a walking surface when the tip rests on the walking surface at an angle less than or equal to a transition angle. The tip includes a high-friction surface that contacts the walking surface when the tip rests on the walking surface at an angle greater than or equal to the transition angle.

A dual-mode cane includes a tip. The tip includes a low-friction surface that contacts a walking surface when the tip rests on the walking surface at an angle less than or equal to a transition angle. The tip includes a high-friction surface that contacts the walking surface when the tip rests on the walking surface at an angle greater than or equal to the transition angle.

A lightweight, stable walking cane that contains an integrated grasper tool to extend a user's reach to pick up objects. The cane contains two configurations, a locked walking cane configuration for stability and balance, and an unlocked configuration with an open grasper tool for grasping objects.

A lightweight, stable walking cane that contains an integrated grasper tool to extend a user's reach to pick up objects. The cane contains two configurations, a locked walking cane configuration for stability and balance, and an unlocked configuration with an open grasper tool for grasping objects.

A walking stick that takes inspiration from nature to absorb energy in the downward first motion of a walking stride and then return the stored energy to aid in propelling the walker forward in the final forward motion of the walking stride all the while keeping the walker in an ergonomically correct position which minimizes discomfort and reduces wasted energy. The walking stick that is the subject of this patent application utilizes a dual flexure spring configured in an S-shape (hereafter referred to as an S-flexure spring) as an extension of the straight shaft of the stick. The shape and location of the S-flexure spring are such that the spring force helps propel the walker forward.