i-Stick senses falls

German scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Development have successfully developed the i-Stick, an intelligent walking stick that is capable of ringing up the nearest ambulance should the owner fall over. This unique device comes with a built-in sensor that registers whether it is in a horizontal position or not – should the signal registered be the former, the stick will then play a message that urges the owner to pick it up. Failure to do so within a stipulated time period will cause the stick to call an ambulance directly or a chosen relative. Hopefully the stick comes with some form of GPS capability, as the person receiving the distress call won’t know where to find the i-Stick’s owner.