Concept DesignsMobility

Freeroll Concept Walker

Freeroll Concept Walker by Heikki Juvonen
Image: {a href="http://issuu.com/heikki/docs/portfolio_of_heikki_juvonen/25?mode=embed&documentId=090204010605-e78d770182be4c3db14f6b3fb35ce3ff&layout=grey" target="_blank"}Heikki Juvonen{/a} Via {a href="http://www.designbuzz.com/entry/freeroll-an-unrestrictive-rollator-for-differently-abled/" target="_blank"}Design Buzz{/a}

When most people think of a walker, two types usually come to mind. The aluminum frame one with the tennis balls attached to the bottom. Or the rolling walkers with a seat and hand brakes. One issue with these style walkers is that walker itself partially blocks frontal arm reach of the user. Basically a person using a traditional walker may have difficulty reaching items in front of them because the walker is in front of them.

Designer Heikki Juvonen came up with a concept walker design to solve this problem while also including some sleek design. His Freeroll walker has many of the same characteristics of a rolling-walker with the big wheels and seat. However with his, the front is left open. Allowing the user to have open space in front of them. The way the hand grips are configured also allows for multiple grip positions.

Juvonen freely admits some flaws in his design on his website. Including the bulkiness and angle of the hand grips. I have to agree with him on the hand grips because I don’t think they would work for a person using a walker. Since walker users have a natural tendency to lean forward, those angles could create an unnatural feel. I actually think if the design could be reversed, this would work better. But again, concepts are made to stimulate more ideas, and this does attempt to solve a legitimate issue with traditional walkers.