MIT AgeLab Agnes Suit

Have you heard of the MIT AgeLab? How about the AgeLab AGNES suit? The Age Gain Now Empathy System, or AGNES, is a suit that mimics the physical restrictions of age when worn. Sounds interesting, doesn't it? If you want to imagine what it feels like to be 80 or 90 years old, then the AGNES can give you that "virtual reality" experience. So, the next time you're about to provide instructions for your geriatric patient, consider how he or she moves around the house. If you're not sure, then get in line to try the AGNES suit for a few days and you'll quickly know what some people go through on a daily basis. Image Source: Boston Globe

MIT AgeLab

I have very fond memories of my days at MIT. So much has changed since those "stone ages." For instance, the MIT AgeLab (which was created in 1999) wasn't around when I was a student at MIT. Was it really that long ago?

The MIT AgeLab was created to invent new ideas and creatively translate technologies into practical solutions that improve people's health and enable them to "do things" throughout the lifespan. Based within MIT’s School of Engineering’s Engineering Systems Division, the AgeLab has assembled a multi-disciplinary and global team of researchers, business partners, universities, and the aging community to design, develop and deploy innovations to improve quality of life.

The lab uses these 3 principles:

1. Field Research
2. Theoretical Models
3. Laboratory Experiments

Today's MIT students have tremendous opportunities that we didn't have several decades ago. I envy them. If I could go back as a student again, I think I'd be spending so much time in the lab doing engineering research that I'd probably pursue a PhD and not an MD.