The document discusses the future of activity tracking technology. It describes how tracking will evolve from measuring basic physical movement and vital signs to more advanced monitoring of how and why people move through sensors embedded in clothing. These new sensors will provide richer data on biomechanics, muscle activity, pressure distribution and social interactions to enable improved performance tracking, medical monitoring and interactive experiences. The future of tracking will be more personalized, customized and integrated into daily life through wearable and metabolically-powered devices that are minimally invasive.

1. The Future of Activity Tracking
Carol E. Torgan, PhD, FACSM
Kinetics :: From lab bench to park bench
www.caroltorgan.com
Twitter @ctorgan
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013

2. PAST
3D
Function over form
HR
Weight
Clipped on your clothes
Physical activity
Sports performance
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013
FUTURE
9 DOF
Function and form
EMG
Pressure
Embedded in your clothes
Social activity
Performance art

3. Instead of tracking IF you are moving,
You’ll track HOW and WHY you are moving.
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013

4. Sample Applications
• Robotics
• Gait analysis
• Rehabilitation assessment
• Shoe and orthotic research and
design
• Sport biomechanics and
performance
• Diabetic foot monitoring
• Prosthetic limb analysis
Image: http://novel.de/novelcontent/pedar
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013
Pressure Tracking

5. Pedar system
Insoles with 85-99
sensors to measure
your foot‟s pressure
distribution
novel.de
SensoGlove
Golf glove with
built-in sensors
to measure your
grip pressure
www.sensoglove.com
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013
Pressure Tracking Examples
SenSoria
Smart sock with fabric-
based pressure sensors +
electronic anklet to track
your activity type & level
http://sensoriafitness.com

6. QTC™ (Quantum Tunneling Composite)
Pressure switching and sensing material technology
Peratech www.peratech.com
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013
Pressure Tracking Example

7. SurroGait Rx System
Pressure-sensing insole for „numb‟ feet
(peripheral neuropathy)
Data from shoes wirelessly sent to
display on back in real time
Sensation normally felt on foot is
transposed to the back, so wearer can
“feel” his or her feet through their back
Video on next slide >
More information, images http://orpyx.com
Pressure Tracking Example

8. 9-Axis Movement Tracking
9-Axis or Degrees of Freedom
(DOF)
tri-axial accelerometer
+
tri-axial magnetometer
+
tri-axial gyroscope
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013

9. 9-Axis Movement Tracking
Sample Applications
• In-depth posture and gait analysis:
• Sports performance
• Motor disorder monitoring (e.g., Parkinson‟s)
• Rehab
• Accurate energy expenditure (calories burned)
• Remote patient monitoring (epileptic seizure detection)
• Consumer electronics device interface (immersive gaming
experience)
• Gestural computing, human-computer interface research
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013

10. 9-Axis Tracking Example
Full description, images http://www.kokes.net/imufootball/imufootball.htm
Nerf football + 9-axis sensor + Bluetooth + Android app
= Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) enabled football
by Ben Kokes (video on next slide)
Accelerometer 3D force of ball
Gyroscope 3D angular velocity of ball
Magnetometer 3D movement of ball through earth's magnetic field

11. 9-Axis Sensor Examples
Shimmer
www.shimmer-
research.com
InvenSense
www.invensense.co
m
STMicroelectronics
http://www.st.com
PNI Sensor Corporation
www.pnicorp.com
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013

12. Electromyography (EMG)
Image: http://www.bodyworlds.com/en/exhibitions/unparalleled_succress.html
Muscle contraction = electrical signals
Detection
• On skin directly over your muscles
(Surface EMG or SEMG)
• Needle electrodes inserted in your muscles

13. Electromyography (EMG) Tracking
Sample Applications
• Neuromuscular training and rehab, including biofeedback
(multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, stroke, urinary incontinence)
• Nerve conduction testing
• Sports performance (inefficiencies, fatigue patterns)
• Gait and balance (left vs. right sides, quads vs. hamstrings)
• Workplace ergonomics (injury risk, fatigue, low back pain)
• Gaming interface
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013

14. EMG Sensor Examples
Motion Lab Systems, Inc.
www.motion-labs.com
Surface & needle electrodes
shown
DELSYS >
www.delsys.com
Wireless surface electrodes
shown
BTS Bioengineering
www.btsbioengineering.com
Wireless surface probe shown
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013

15. EMG Example
More information https://www.thalmic.com/myo/
MYO
“Proprietary muscle activity sensors +
9-axis inertial measurement unit …
MYO lets you use the electrical activity in your muscles to
wirelessly control your computer, phone, and other favorite
digital technologies.”
video on next slide >

16. Sensors Embedded in Clothing
Sample Applications
• Sports performance
(from extreme athletes to people with disabilities)
• Remote patient monitoring (COPD, heart failure)
• Extreme environment monitoring (dehydration,
fatigue)
• Stress estimation and feedback
• Sleep tracking
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013

17. Sensors Embedded in Clothing: Examples
SmartLife
HR, respiration
temperature
www.smartlifetech.com
Hexoskin
HR, respiration
acceleration
www.hexoskin.com
OMsignal
HR, respiration
acceleration
www.omsignal.com
SleepShirt
respiration
www.restdevices.com
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013

18. Sensors Embedded in Clothing: Examples
Screen-printed amperometric
carbon sensor arrays
Proof-of-concept
Direct skin contact for chemical
detection of dehydrogenase- and
oxidase-based enzymes
Yang, Chuang, Lou, Wang, in Analyst
Move
Concept technology garment
Stretch and bend sensors (front, back, sides)
Detect body‟s position and muscle movement
Correct via real-time haptic feedback
Jennifer Darmour, Electricfoxy
www.electricfoxy.com/move/
http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2010/AN/b926339j

19. Performance Art
Motion + Impact
Jeremy Peterson and Ross Leonardy
Collaboration between Parsons, The New School for Design
and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Accelerometer, LilyPad Arduino
Capture movement data
from percussionists to
create music visualizations
Video on next slide >
More information, images
http://ft.parsons.edu/bso/

20. Social + Performance
TeKila Dress by Shiping Toohey
Acrylic, Accelerometer
Arduino board, LEDs
“Taking the various elements that
make up the nightclub scene
I took an observational approach to
create a fashion garment that
took in the environment around itself
and projected back this likeness.”
More information, images www.shipingtoohey.me/post/20460360868/tekila-dress

21. Performance Art
Company Linga performing Step 1
“Wireless physiology devices were used to
collect impulses produced by the movements
and muscular activity of dancers, and then
Network Data Transfer and digital
programming were used to transform the
activity into sound, creating a live
„soundtrack‟ for the performance.”
Video on next slide >
More information, images www.linga.ch

22. NOW
Me
Our genome
Battery powered
Quantified self
On our skin
Diagnosis
Personalized
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013
NEXT
We
Our microbiome
Metabolism powered
Do-it-yourself
Under our skin
Treatment
Customized

23. Carol Torgan, PhD, FACSM
Kinetics :: From lab bench to park bench
Twitter @ctorgan
List of resources available at:
http://www.caroltorgan.com/activity-tracking-future
Wearable Tech Gallery
http://pinterest.com/caroltpin/wearable-tech/
Products and websites mentioned here are for illustrative
purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Font: Lota, designed by Łukasz Dziedzic www.latofonts.com
Thanks for viewing! Bonus video >>
© Carol Torgan, Ph.D. 2013