Trunk posture tracking system with vibro-tactile feedback

• Main Author: Wee, Ming Xiao.
• Other Authors: Yeo Song Huat
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering::Mechatronics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/53298
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The aches and pains experienced by many are often a result of the long-term effects of distorted posture. Distorted posture is the posture that results from certain muscles tightening up or shortening while others lengthening or becoming weaker as a result of one's daily activities. One of the main reasons for distorted posture is incorrect sitting posture since one is in the sitting position most of the time. Hence, a trunk posture tracking system that can monitor and provide tactile feedback to users is developed to correct their sitting postures. The developed trunk posture tracking system fulfills five desired attributes: accuracy, portability, real-time data capture of dynamic data, clinically useful and affordability. The system comprises of two inertial measurement sensors, respectively attached and calibrated to the upper trunk (T1) and pelvis (S1). The accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers in the sensors can continuously calculate the positions, orientations and velocities of the trunk. In particular, it concerns the investigation of the feasibility and effectiveness by only using two inertial sensors to accurately measure the trunk movement while using vibro-tactile as a form of feedback to correct their sitting postures. Sensor output is then transformed from quaternion to Euler angles and visualized via a graphical user interface (GUI). Experimental results have shown that the system is able to accurately store the incorrect sitting postures of the subjects and trigger the vibro-tactile feedback almost immediately once the subjects’ sitting postures fall within their pre-defined incorrect sitting postures. Hence, it can be concluded that the trunk posture tracking system and the vibro-tactile feedback system are effective in alerting users to change their sitting postures.