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Young engineer launches stair aid by Geoff Adams-Spink
She told BBC News that she was inspired to create the device for the father of one of her teachers who had had a stroke. She won an award for her idea and has now set up a company to sell it. The StairSteady is a horizontal rail at 90 degrees to the wall or banister that people can hold on to as they go up or down stairs.
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The invention was then entered for the Young Engineer for Britain competition and won first prize.
Great stuff. Innovation doesn’t have to be amazing technology. Finding solutions that make people’s lives better is the key. And then showing some entrepreneurship is great, Ruth setup her company when she was 16. I wish her luck.
Related: posts on engineers – Engineers Should Follow Their Hearts – Automatic Dog Washing Machine – Entrepreneurial and Innovative Engineers – Microfinancing Entrepreneurs
November 15th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
This is sheer brilliance. I’m not elderly, but sometimes when I first awaken, I’m a little unsteady going down the stairs. I can imagine how much harder it would be if you were older and/or handicapped. Really amazed by the simplicity of this aid. Good for her!
November 17th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I think this is a brilliant idea. Think there’s a way you can have two stair steadies attached to the handrail in case there are two people living together in need of the device?
November 19th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Great product Ruth! Old people definitely could use some help climbing the stairs. This seems like an affordable option that is still very safe. I just wonder how many times the person would forget to bring the aid back down to the bottom of the stairs.
November 27th, 2009 at 4:59 am
I don`t want to sound like i`m giving medical advice but, i really am concerned about this contraption. Going up the stairs will be clearly easier, but coming down..i don`t know, look at the video you can clearly see it is unconfortable, difficult, and pretty dangerous. If you`re elderly, the last thing you want is dieing from coming down the stairs.