Real time Gait Analysis using multiple wearable sensors

Project Title

Real time Gait Analysis using multiple wearable sensors

Project Area of Specialization Biomedical EngineeringProject Summary

Develop a multi-sensor Real-Time Data Acquisition system

Project Objectives

• To acquire multisensory data (EMG, Angles and Kinetic Data) from various anatomical positions.

• Should be Wearable, Portable, Low-cost and data must be Real-time

• Reliable and Reproducible (Statistical Analysis)

Project Implementation Method

The main goal of the project is to design a system that can acquire data from multiple sensors at the same time which is not possible with using 1 Single Core processor. To solve this issue, we propose to use 1 controller (Attiny 1604) for each sensor. 

The said controller will read data from the sensor, add a timestamp using the RTC and send the data to the wireless transmitter on board. 

The wireless transmits data to a Master controller, say a Raspberry Pi running Raspbian OS which will receive data from each Sensory Module and display the data over a GUI. 

There will be a minor lag between the data reading and displaying, but the data will be real-time and perfectly suitable for further research in Human-centered Robotics.

Benefits of the Project

Walking is something that the average person probably doesn’t give much thought. It’s our most basic method of transportation, but an inability to walk or be mobile can drastically change a person’s life. It can impact our independence and also create significant health problems in both the short and long term.

Many people can move about with abnormal or asymmetrical gait patterns for years without any symptoms. However, when someone experiences an injury or pain, normal gait can be altered, resulting in abnormal walking that can lead to bigger health issues.

For example:

• Musculoskeletal problems (from altering movements to compensate for pain or discomfort)
• Cardiovascular health issues (due to inactivity)
• Mental health issues (depression, loss of independence, etc.)

This is why gait analysis is important. When we study the way a person walks or runs, we can identify individuals’ unique movements, determine normal gait patterns, diagnose issues causing pain, and also implement and evaluate treatments to correct abnormalities.

For the development of Exoskeletons and Prosthetics, human Gait patterns are an absolutely necessary, and whole control system of these is dependent on the current dataset of a person, hence it absolutely crucial to have a reliable Real-Time data acquisition system for further development and commercializing the Prosthetic and Exoskeletons

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

• 4 IMU Sensor Modules weighing less than 100g each with a good battery life
• 2 IMU + EMG Sensor Modules weighing less than 100g each with a good battery life
• 2 FSR Modules with FSRs attached on the sole
• 1 receiver Module to collect the data and send to the PC
• Software for each module
• Collected and analyzed data

Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry HealthOther Industries Medical Core Technology Wearables and ImplantablesOther Technologies Internet of Things (IoT)Sustainable Development Goals Good Health and Well-Being for PeopleRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	78630
PCB and Assembly	Equipment	10	2850	28500
3D Printer Filament	Equipment	1	3450	3450
ESP12E	Equipment	6	270	1620
FSR	Equipment	4	1200	4800
Attiny1604	Equipment	15	630	9450
Customs Duty	Miscellaneous	1	10000	10000
EMG Electrodes	Equipment	60	21	1260
Shoe soles	Equipment	1	150	150
NodeMCU	Equipment	3	650	1950
IMU	Equipment	4	350	1400
EMG Cable	Equipment	2	640	1280
Li-Ion Batteries	Equipment	6	350	2100
Straps	Equipment	6	300	1800
RTC	Equipment	2	500	1000
EMG Gel	Equipment	1	70	70
EMG Sensor	Equipment	2	4900	9800