Abstract
Wearable sensors and systems have become increasingly popular in recent years. Two prominent wearable technologies for human activity monitoring are smart textile systems (STSs) and inertial measurement units (IMUs). Despite ongoing advances in both, the usability aspects of these devices require further investigation, especially to facilitate future use. In this study, 18 participants evaluate the preferred placement and usability of two STSs, along with a comparison to a commercial IMU system. These evaluations are completed after participants engaged in a range of activities (e.g., sitting, standing, walking, and running), during which they wear two representatives of smart textile systems: (1) a custom smart undershirt (SUS) and commercial smart socks; and (2) a commercial whole-body IMU system. We first analyze responses regarding the usability of the STS, and subsequently compared these results to those for the IMU system. Participants identify a short-sleeved shirt as their preferred activity monitor. In additional, the SUS in combination with the smart socks is rated superior to the IMU system in several aspects of usability. As reported herein, STSs show promise for future applications in human activity monitoring in terms of usability.
Highlights
Traditional tools and devices for conducting human movement studies are often cumbersome or uncomfortable for subjects
Our aim was to evaluate the usability of smart textile systems (STSs), which was done via comparisons between two distinct systems, and in comparison with a commercial inertial measurement units (IMUs) system
We assessed the placement and usability of two STSs, including an smart undershirt (SUS) and commercial Sensoria socks, and we compared them to a commercial whole-body IMU system
Summary
Traditional tools and devices for conducting human movement studies are often cumbersome or uncomfortable for subjects. The development of wearable sensors has facilitated new measurement alternatives. These sensors are lightweight and portable, meaning that there is a potential for measurements to be obtained with minimal discomfort in diverse contexts, even in people’s daily life. Further innovations in wearable sensors are crucial to improved research and expanded applications. Two wearable systems have gained pre-eminence in this regard: microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and smart textile systems (STSs) [1]
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