Estimation of Human Foot Motion During Normal Walking Using Inertial and Magnetic Sensor Measurements

Abstract

A foot motion filtering algorithm is presented for estimating foot kinematics relative to an earth-fixed reference frame during normal walking motion. Algorithm input data are obtained from a foot-mounted inertial/magnetic measurement unit. The sensor unit contains a three-axis accelerometer, a three-axis angular rate sensor, and a three-axis magnetometer. The algorithm outputs are the foot kinematic parameters, which include foot orientation, position, velocity, acceleration, and gait phase. The foot motion filtering algorithm incorporates novel methods for orientation estimation, gait detection, and position estimation. Accurate foot orientation estimates are obtained during both static and dynamic motion using an adaptive-gain complementary filter. Reliable gait detection is accomplished using a simple finite state machine that transitions between states based on angular rate measurements. Accurate position estimates are obtained by integrating acceleration data, which has been corrected for drift using zero velocity updates. Algorithm performance is examined using both simulations and real-world experiments. The simulations include a simple but effective model of the human gait cycle. The simulation and experimental results indicate that a position estimation error of less than 1% of the total distance traveled is achievable using commonly available commercial sensor modules.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA580457

Entities

People

  • Eric R. Bachmann
  • James Calusdian
  • Robert B. Mcghee
  • Xiaoping Yun

Organizations

  • University of Miami

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Algorithms
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Detection
  • Filters
  • Filtration
  • Instrumentation
  • Kalman Filters
  • Magnetic Detectors
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Measurement
  • Microelectromechanical Systems
  • Navigation
  • Navigation Reference
  • Simulations
  • Three Dimensional

Readers

  • Adaptive Control and Estimation with Uncertainty in Dynamic Systems.
  • Inertial Navigation Systems.
  • Robotics and Automation.