Intelligent Sensors, Devices, and Systems

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People are often at risk of injury due to walking instability in a variety of environments, including the industrial workplace, military theatre, and in transportation. For many Canadians, walking instability and mobility impairment affect their quality of life. This research aims to firstly develop a new stability analysis tool based on measurements from portable, fully wearable sensors to permit assessment of a variety of systems in the field, including people at any point of contact or care, and older adults at home. A self-contained stability measurement system could be worn for continuous stability monitoring in the industrial workplace, military, transportation, and care environments. Intelligent adaptive stabilizing joints and extension-assist joints will also be developed for application in robotic arms, machines, and exoskeletal devices worn by people at risk of instability and injury in industry or for people with disabilities. As previous powered leg braces used for training are too bulky for everyday independent use, a stabilizing joint that responds to foot instability would be a major advantage.