Hi, this is Wayne again with a topic “This $800 belt has airbags to protect your hips”.
( dramatic electronic music ), So there’s been a trend of more and more technology aimed toward older people. America’s aging rapidly. The boomers are aging, and so these are issues that we’re going to have to deal with. This gadget, at least in its inflated version. It looks a little silly, but falls really are a huge issue, but when it’s not inflated, it’s essentially a belt that goes around your waist and there are motion sensors in there.. The idea is that if you’re a senior recovering from surgery or you’re, just not so steady on your feet, you’re walking around it senses that you’re moving and then once you fall. It inflates immediately into these airbags that you see here.
(, popping ) Jesus ( laughing ). Where did Angela go? What am I about to do, I’m about to fall and hopefully not kill. Myself. Should probably take things out of my pocket huh. How does it actually work, though, What activates it? We have a sensor inside it to follow in your movement. So as soon as you are falling down, we know it because you are resuming the acceleration when you’re in your pillar position as soon as we know that the position is not good. We decide to inflate the airbag. ( dramatic music ), The electronic and at the back you just have a hook.. I can confirm. My hip is not broken. ( chuckles ) And you see ( smacking, ) [ Sam ] Punch me man. Couple of years ago.
The CDC said that falls were one of the biggest causes of death for people who are old and that’s a problem. That’S been solved., So if you’re walking around and you fall immediately the airbags inflate and absorbs the impact and it’ll spare your body. Some of the trauma that will happen when you fall and you’re older and you have more brittle bones. Hip protectors, already exist. They might not be as high tech, but there are types of underwear and belts. You can wear that essentially do the same thing.
They work, but people don’t really wan na wear them. A lot of people are maybe in denial they need them. A lot of people might find them embarrassing or uncomfortable, and no matter how good the technological gadget is. If people don’t wan na wear it, that’s a huge obstacle.. The second obstacle is just cost. Right now. This is going to be available for pre order in France in about three months. It’S about 800 dollars, though, and they’re not working with insurance. Yet, and with the price tag, there’s gon na be some questions about how accessible and how practical a solution this really is.. Thanks for watching., Subscribe to The Verge on YouTube. [, Sam ], Look at this., ( chatter, ), Wow, okay, man., (, laughing ). I’M sorry! .