The mobilistrictor mobility restricting body suit simulates the effects of old age. It enables designers, who may be fully fit and active, to empathise with older people and assess how their designs work in practice for people with some loss of mobility or declining sensory perception. "People wearing the suit are able to gain a better appreciation of the difficulties encountered as people grow older"[1].
 

		The mobilistrictor body suit attempts to recreate the effects of aging by restricting the movement and sensory perception of the wearer in a number of ways. To simulate the discomfort on the balls of the feet caused by arthritis, the participant wears socks filled with little beads. This makes walking very painful. In addition, movement in the knees and hips is restricted to make bending difficult, hard casts are fitted on the upper body to prevent the user being able to lift their arms above their head, their wrists are splinted, their neck is put in a brace and they are made to wear gloves which simulate the effects of severe osteoarthritis. Finally, the user is fitted with yellow cataract glasses and ear defenders to simulate the loss of sensory perception experienced by many older people. The hire of the suit with an experienced demonstrator is £400 per session. During this session the demonstrator will dress up to three individuals in the mobilistrictor suit for up to one hour and facilitate a session in which each individual describes the effects the suit has on their ability to undertake a series of simple activities to a group of up to twelve observers. The use of the mobilistrictor enables the designer wearing the suit and those observing the process to appreciate "the physical aspects of disability" gain "a better understanding of the mental aspects associated with loss of pride, self-esteem, frustration and independence.....[and the] associated fatigue, both mental and physical" which older people can experience [1]. For more information about the Mobilistrictor or to hire the suit and a demonstrator for a session visit: http://www.mobilistrictor.co.uk/index.html
© Gadget Show, 2006
© Gadget Show, 2006

References:
[1] Mobilistrictor, http://www.mobilistrictor.co.uk/index.html (accessed Jan 2008)