Walking frames take step forward
A Wellington couple who design buggies for babies are now using their creative minds to help the older generation.
Industrial designers Phil and Nina Bracen, of Seatoun, have developed a new walking frame for the elderly or disabled as an alternative to the ‘‘bulky, medical-looking’’ government-funded ones.
Their inspiration came at a cafe where a group of elderly were enjoying a meal out. However, one woman was sitting on what appeared to be an ‘‘uncomfortable’’ walking frame – aesthetically, it looked cold and medical-like – and she was finding it difficult to navigate in a busy cafe.
‘‘She looked so uncomfortable,’’ Nina said.
‘‘Then she stood up and me and Phil were thinking, ‘Why can’t it be made better, with a proper chair and a walking frame as well?’ So that’s how we started.’’
The couple had spent the previous 10 years designing baby strollers, so thought it was time they designed something for older people, she said.
And, so, the NIP (New Independent Person) Glide was born.
Phil said their design stood out from traditional ones, which were mainly government-funded, because it was lighter, had an autobrake to help with safety, and was easy to fold into the car.
Nina said they were told by hospital staff there were a lot of people who did not want to use the walking frame because they were ‘‘so horrible, so they don’t go out of the house’’.
‘‘It’s quite sad when people end up stuck with the cheapest option, the most medical-looking one,’’ she said.
Phil said their design was aimed at overcoming the association of walking frames with sickness.
As well as the technical challenges, the couple faced change-resistant mindsets in the medical sector.
‘‘It’s a slow process, because there is no retail market [and] we can’t get our product funded because they buy the cheaper ones,’’ he said
Nina said the walking frame, which sells for $379, was being sold online, but distribution deals in overseas markets were on the cards.
The couple hoped to expand the collection to more mobility products, different colours, and different sizes.