Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the human ability to shift weight and maintain balance when driving a self-balancing personal mobility device (SPMD). In the experiment, participants performed a weight-shifting task, which is moving the center of pressure (COP) toward 15 targets comprising three distances and five directions. They were also given a maintaining balance task, which is holding the COP as close as possible to the same targets. The results showed that during the weight-shifting task, the target distance significantly increased the movement time and decreased the movement fluency and accuracy. In the balance control task, while the target distance significantly affected the postural stability, the target direction had no major effect, although there were interaction effects with the direction on the postural sway along the medial–lateral direction. It is expected that this study can help in understanding the balance control of humans and design safer SPMDs.
Highlights
IntroductionA personal mobility device (PMD) is a compact, motorized vehicle that has no internal combustion engine and uses electricity as its primary and secondary power sources for transporting an individual
The analysis of variance (ANOVA) results showed that the target distance (TEPMS : F(1.61, 30.60) = 212.62, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.92; maximal deviation (MD): F(2, 38) = 65.40, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.78; derive the magnitude of the NMP (dNMP) : F(2, 38) = 38.43, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.67), target direction (TEPMS : F(4, 76) = 7.37, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.28; MD: F(4, 76) = 32.05, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.63; directional control (DC): F(4, 76) = 33.21, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.64 dNMP : F(4, 76) = 14.86, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.44), and interaction of the target distance and direction (MD: F(5.19, 98.68) = 4.01, p = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.17; dNMP : F(5.83, 110.79) = 2.37, p = 0.035, ηp2 = 0.11)
The ANOVA results showed that the target distance (TESSM : F(1.51, 28.68) = 5.25, p = 0.018, ηp2 = 0.22; dwelling time (DT): F(1.67, 31.73) = 6.35, p = 0.007, ηp2 = 0.25) and the target direction (TESSM : F(4, 76) = 3.25, p = 0.016, ηp2 = 0.15; maximum COP excursion (ME): F(2.95, 55.95) = 7.40, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.28; target area (TA): F(4, 76) = 4.52, p = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.19) had significant effects on the accuracy of the weight-shifting task
Summary
A personal mobility device (PMD) is a compact, motorized vehicle that has no internal combustion engine and uses electricity as its primary and secondary power sources for transporting an individual. It is known as personal mobility, personal mobility vehicle, and smart mobility depending on the country, media, and researcher. If PMDs can replace existing vehicles for some short-distance driving or improve accessibility to public transport, they can greatly reduce congestion and pollutant emissions [2,3] Their portability is superior because of their small size and light weight compared to other types of vehicles. The PMD is emerging as an alternative means of transportation for short distances in the urban environment and is gaining the spotlight as the first/last-mile connection with other means of transportation [4,5,6]
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