Finished walking sticks (Photo Courtesy: Michael Kline) “I’m not there yet, but someday I’m really going to need some help walking, but these really help out quite a bit,” said Kline.

To see if their smart walking stick could help, the researchers set up a café of sorts in their lab -- complete with several chairs, patrons and a few obstacles.

Moses had a stick in the Bible. Napoleon and other commanders always had sticks. In the 19th century, it was a fashion item, particularly among English gentlemen. Then there was Charlie Chaplin. It’s ...