Posture Coach for Sitting
Sitting too much is anyway a problem, sitting in a slouched position is even less desirable. Getting haptic feedback when slouching might improve the posture.
For slouching the back a possible electronic setup necessary is not difficult: two IMUs on the spine can measure the degree (angle) of slouching and give haptic feedback via vibration motors. Starting from such a setup different extensions could lead to a user-friendly, effective application.
A neck position with the head bending to a screen is very common, but can cause severe neck problems on the long term.
This project would need an explorative kickstart with creative ideas how to measure the neck position. This can be from a sensor perspective, what sensors could be useful here. Or, if we also use IMUs, where and how could they be fixed to provide meaningful measurements, which also can be approached from a textile perspective? Follow-up questions are then similar to the slouching version of posture.
Contributions to this project can include:
- Integrate also features as a reminder to stand up from time to time, change sitting position, change feedback intensity or pause the system.
- Exploring and evaluating learning strategies (feedback fading strategies) for slouching
- Textile integration: it is relevant that the IMUs are close enough to the spine, if they are too loose the measurements become unreliable.
Still, the whole garment or device should be easily wearable in combination with everyday clothing. Positioning of haptic feedback could be variable for different users. A textile construction that distributes the vibration of the motors to a larger area would improve comfort. A noise reducing construction would be desirable for privacy.
- An update of the basic electronic setup based on the Wearable Atelier microcontroller board (link) and also an update of the control program for this setup.
- Exploration of sensors that can measure neck bending.
Contact Angelika Mader, if you are interested in a project.