# FallGown: A Soft Pneumatic Wearable Device for Fall Prevention

- Source: arXiv cs.RO
- Published: 2026-10-22T04:00:00.000Z
- RoboHot: https://robohot.news/en/items/wxxjwcd2b4kddhg2jvti4u4hm
- Original: https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.12706

## Summary

FallGown is a soft wearable support structure made of pressurized air pouches inside a fabric shell; it can support the full weight of a user's body to prevent falls. When stored it measures 6.9 kg and 0.051 cubic meters, with an average donning time of under 2.5 minutes and doffing time of under 0.5 minutes. Single-user fall prevention testing showed a tradeoff between device size and resistance to tipping; a configuration with a base, 12 air pouches, and a skirt-bottom diameter of 1.4 meters prevented all falls except for one mechanical failure. Onboard pressure sensors can sense the user's weight distribution, offering potential for monitored exercise and adaptive support.