Fastest Gait Parameters Estimation Precision Comparison Utilizing High-Sensitivity and Low-Sensitivity Inertial Sensor

Abstract

The measurement system of stride length, toe’s height and toe’s angle at each step during fastest gait using inertial sensor is proposed. During fastest gait, acceleration and angular velocity of the toe exceed the measuring range of high-sensitivity inertial sensor. To estimate parameters of a gait, inertial sensor system that is composed of two triaxial accelerometer and two triaxial gyroscope with different measuring range each is developed. Sensor is attached to the right toe to observe the motion of fastest gait quantitatively. Subjects were asked to walk at their fastest speed while the inertial sensor measures the acceleration and angular velocity of the toe. To evaluate the effect of the proposed method, toe’s trajectory are calculated using the high-sensitivity data only, low-sensitivity data only, and interpolation of both high-sensitivity and low-sensitivity data. Results are compared with reference obtained by optical motion capture system. As a result of the motion measurement of the toe during fastest gait, the precision of the estimation system is improved by applying the proposed method.