Methods for Gait Analysis During Obstacle Avoidance Task

Sensors and algorithms for locomotion intention detection of lower limb exoskeletons

In recent years, lower limb exoskeletons (LLEs) have received much attention due to the potential to help people with paraplegia regain the ability of upright-legged locomotion. However, one major hindrance to converting prototypes into actual products is the lack of a balance recovery function. Locomotion intentions can be the first step for balance assistance. Therefore, its significance continues to grow. Many researchers focus on this topic, but there is a lack of a general discussion on the research phenomenon. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to systematize these data and benefit future research. This review is divided into two parts, the location of sensors/devices and the evaluation criteria of algorithms, which are the main components of locomotion intentions. We found that sensor/device placement is still concentrated in the lower limbs, but most researchers have found the importance of the chest. The peak power of the signal collected from the chest may be overestimated because it undergoes higher vertical velocity and acceleration during a rotation. However, despite the differences in peak power between the upper and lower back, high correlations were found for the tasks, especially from sitting to standing. Since peak power is based on vertical acceleration and velocity, it can be considered a metric that is more robust to changes in sensor location. Therefore, data acquisition from the chest is effective. In this paper, it is pointed out that sensors placed on the chest may have a tendency to change, as some researchers have realized in the field of locomotion intention recognition. In the evaluation criteria, we also found that deep learning algorithm (such as Back Propagation Artificial Neural Network (BPANN)) is outstanding, and Support Vector Machine (SVM) is the most cost-effective algorithm. In terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, BPANN achieved nearly 100%. SVM has different types; the best one achieves 98% accuracy, 100% sensitivity, and 100% specificity. But it also has 87.8% accuracy, which is not stable. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) can be used for image classification and have an accuracy of around 87%. Compared to the above two algorithms, CNN may have lower performance. Other algorithms also have higher accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. These evaluation criteria, however, were not all ideal at the same time. Based on these results, we also point out the existing problems. In general, the application of these algorithms to LLE can contribute to its intention recognition, which can be helpful in balancing research. Finally, this can help make LLE more suitable for daily use.

Triboelectric Nanogenerator Enabled Smart Shoes for Wearable Electricity Generation

The parallel evolution of wearable electronics, artificial intelligence, and fifth-generation wireless technology has created a technological paradigm with the potential to change our lives profoundly. Despite this, addressing limitations linked to continuous, sustainable, and pervasive powering of wearable electronics remains a bottleneck to overcome in order to maximize the exponential benefit that these technologies can bring once synergized. A recent groundbreaking discovery has demonstrated that by using the coupling effect of contact electrification and electrostatic induction, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can efficiently convert irregular and low-frequency passive biomechanical energy from body movements into electrical energy, providing an infinite and sustainable power source for wearable electronics. A number of human motions have been exploited to properly and efficiently harness this energy potential, including human ambulation. Shoes are an indispensable component of daily wearing and can be leveraged as an excellent platform to exploit such kinetic energy. In this article, the latest representative achievements of TENG-based smart electricity-generating shoes are comprehensively reviewed. We summarize ways in which not only can biomechanical energy be scavenged via ambulatory motion, but also biomonitoring of health parameters via tracking of rhythm and strength of pace can be implemented to aid in theranostic fields. This work provides a systematical review of the rational structural design, practical applications, scenario analysis, and performance evaluation of TENG-based smart shoes for wearable electricity generation. In addition, the perspective for future development of smart electricity-generation shoes as a sustainable and pervasive energy solution towards the upcoming era of the Internet of Things is discussed.