AGNES Allows The Young To Experience Instant 'Aging'
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Most of us have at some point or another become impatient with a 'slow, bumbling' elderly adult or a grandparent 'moaning' about aches and pains. Would we be as dismissive, if we knew what they were going through?
Now, thanks to the AGNES (Age Gain Now Empathy System) suit developed by The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Age Lab, we can all experience the plight of the elderly.
Thankfully, however, the transformation is not a result of an irreversible chemical reaction, but a temporary condition caused by different gadgets that are attached to the suit. To emulate slow movement and joint pain, two stretchy bands, restrict the legs from extending all the way. A special helmet with straps attaches to the spine and alters body posture, so that person can experience how it feels to walk around with a little stoop.
Special shoes restrict the gait by reducing hamstring flexibility. And that's not all - Wear the gloves that come with the suit, and you will realize why the elderly cannot lift things as deftly as a young person. To complete the experience, AGNES comes with special earphones that make it difficult to hear to hear really sharp or soft sounds.
While an AGNES experience is bound to emanate some sympathy for the elderly, that is not the primary purpose behind its creation. It has largely been invented so that designers and engineers can create safer crosswalks, stairs, accessible grocery aisles and so on - A very important consideration given that the elderly population in the US alone, is expected to exceed over 7.2 million, by the year 2030.
In addition, AGNES has been modeled after an adult who has led an extremely unhealthy life, hence projecting a senior citizen in the worst possible health condition. By doing so, the scientists are hoping to encourage today's youth to make better food choices and remain active, which in turn, will help them age better.
So, the next time you are feeling lazy or eating too much junk, be sure to reflect back on AGNES and, while 75 may seem like eons of years away, it will come by sooner than you think - Just ask your grandparents!
Resources: latimes.com, tested.com,odditycentral.com
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186 Comments
- Clarissa Mover 13 yearsIt is important to keep your self healthy as a kid. That is because when you get older you don't get to do things that you can now. If you make good food choices now it can help you won't be in the worst condition when you get older. You also could stay active more often to keep your body healthy. Trust me you want to keep your body in the best condition you can.
- Dennis B.over 13 yearsHere is what I would think an elderly person would say to a young person. "Have a healthy life. If you don't, you can die a little too early. Being healthy is the 'key' to life. A lot of people live longer if you eat healthy. Exercising is also good for your body. you can ride a bike, take a hike in the woods, jog, walk, and join a gym (Until your'e 20.) Don't smoke tobacco. You can get cancer in all sorts of places in your body. Don't do drugs. Doing drugs can take your life away. If you ever get asked to do a drug or smoke tobacco, say no. Also don't feel bad for your age." That is what I think an elder should say to a young person. I know I would say that.
popalacaover 13 yearsNow I know how my grandparents felt and feel. Poor them! :( People need to take in the thought that elders need new and safer things for them, so they don't get hurt as easily. The world will be a better happier place.- JamesL cont.over 13 yearsThis not something kids should just ignore. People should be in good shape so they live a happy life in the elderly world...
- ryan.cover 13 yearsA elderly person would say stay healthy by living a healthy life. A elderly person or grandparent would say they don't want you to feel bad when you grow old, so eat healthy and exercise. Older people might also say be healthy because you might live a longer life without being disabled. You could live a active life by by eating healthy, sleeping well and exercise. This would effect me because I want to live a long and healthy life. this article shows you can live a healthy or unhealthy life based on how you live now.
- Katieover 13 yearsThe elastic probably plays the muscle's role, as the person walks, {in the suit} the elastic pulls back to expirience ag nes
- Katieover 13 yearsBut I also think its cool that people would wear these suits, which look like they have elastic, to expirience Agnes
- Andreaover 13 yearswhen you get old you will have a hard time to move around. if you are trying to bend down you will have a hard time. eating can be hard to because you would have to swallow little bites.
- James L.over 13 yearsI think now people should remember to eat healthy, exercise, and take care of themselves. It is very important that people should care for themselves because you'll need to take care of yourself for a long time, or you'll suffer like these old people.
- Rebecca L.over 13 yearsI think it is very important to take care of your self. People should start gettting more excercise, eat better, and take better care of themselves.It is important to do this because then when you are old your knees would lose flexibilty, you would not be abld to lift heavy things, and you would have joint pain. that is why it is very import to take care of your self now than suffer more when you are old. I forshure do not wamt that to hppen to me.