The mention that this device may reduce the number of falls is especially welcome.

This is an example of wearable computer technology. Microcontrollers are getting so cheap ($5 from China), as are sensors (e.g. accelerometers), that more and more things can be measured on a continuous basis. Once you can measure something, it is often just a short step to being able to improve the situation.

Other things that are likely soon include:
- tremor measurement and cancelling (see Zanpar's post in the last week);
- voice analysis, loudness detection;
- freezing detection and recovery;
- improved energy levels.

As always, the regulatory process is likely to lead to some delay and the prices may be too high for some of the devices to be affordable. But they are ripe for DIYing.

In the wider context, I can see a situation developing where focused tools are developed causing many of the bad things that we experience because of Parkinson's to cease to be a problem. The disease is not cured, but it's consequences are reduced. As an example of where this has already been done, think of the extra problems that many people with vision problems would have if spectacles had never been invented.

John