4th International ICST Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare

Research Article

Precise assessment of self-selected gait velocity in domestic environments

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  • @INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/ICST.PERVASIVEHEALTH2010.8829,
        author={Thomas Frenken and Mehmet Govercin and Sebastian Mersmann and Andreas Hein},
        title={Precise assessment of self-selected gait velocity in domestic environments},
        proceedings={4th International ICST Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare},
        proceedings_a={PERVASIVEHEALTH},
        year={2010},
        month={6},
        keywords={mobility assessment gait velocity assessment laser range scanner LIDAR smart homes ambient sensors},
        doi={10.4108/ICST.PERVASIVEHEALTH2010.8829}
    }
    
  • Thomas Frenken
    Mehmet Govercin
    Sebastian Mersmann
    Andreas Hein
    Year: 2010
    Precise assessment of self-selected gait velocity in domestic environments
    PERVASIVEHEALTH
    ICST
    DOI: 10.4108/ICST.PERVASIVEHEALTH2010.8829
Thomas Frenken1,*, Mehmet Govercin2, Sebastian Mersmann2, Andreas Hein3
  • 1: OFFIS - Institute for Information Technology, Escherweg 2, D-26121 Oldenburg, Germany
  • 2: Geriatrics Research Group, Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin, D-13347 Berlin, Germany
  • 3: Division Automation and Measurement Technologies, University Oldenburg, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany
*Contact email: thomas.frenken@offis.de

Abstract

A novel approach to precise and reliable computation of self-selected gait velocity in domestic environments based on the measurements of a laser range scanner is presented. The computation does not require a priori knowledge of the environment. The sensor is part of an ambient assessment system under development which is meant to objectively measure and compare capacity and performance in mobility. Possible application fields may be early detection or differential diagnosis in dementia and assessment of fall risk. Regarding the challenges of future health systems due to the demographic change delaying need of care or preventing falls in dementia can help decrease costs while increasing perceived quality of life for people concerned and their carers. Within this paper we present our theoretic concept and algorithm for computing self-selected gait velocity utilizing measurement from a laser range scanner. Results of an experiment show that the laser range scanner delivers precise measurement and in the future may be used for absolutely unobtrusive analysis of spatio-temporal parameters of gait even in demented people