Wearable devices are used to record several physiological signals, providing unobtrusive and continuous monitoring. The main challenge in these systems is to develop new recording sensors ideally envisioning non-contact solutions. In this work we propose a wearable fiber-optic based sensor which basis of operation relies on the electro-active effect. Two main biopotential sensing components wer...

Given the low birth rate and rapid aging of population in Taiwan, issues such as long-term care, high dependency ratio, labor shortage are no longer avertible. The mobility assists shall play a significant role helping elder community to live independently with dignity, appearance should make them feel comfortable well. Hence this study recommends development assistive devices, barrier-free env...

This paper presents an inertial-sensor-based wearable device and its associated pedestrian trajectory reconstruction algorithm to reconstruct indoor pedestrian trajectories. The wearable device is composed of a triaxial accelerometer, a triaxial gyroscope, a triaxial magnetometer, a microcontroller, and a Bluetooth wireless transmission module. Users can carry the device to walk in indoor envir...

Impaired neck muscle function leads to disability in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD), but diagnostic tools are lacking. In this study, deformations and deformation rates were investigated in five dorsal neck muscles during 10 arm elevations by ultrasonography with speckle tracking analyses. Forty individuals with chronic WAD (28 women and 12 men, mean age = 37 y) and...

Many people experience difficulty recalling and recognizing information during everyday tasks. Prior assistive technology for human memory has leveraged audio and video cues, but this approach is often disruptive and inappropriate in socially-sensitive situations. Our work explores vibro-tactile feedback as an alternative that unobtrusively aids human memory. To this end, we conducted several u...

Reliable human activity recognition with wearable devices enables the development of human-centric pervasive applications.We aim to develop a robust wearable-based activity recognition system for real life situations where the device position is up to the user or where a user is unable to collect initial training data. Consequently, in this work we focus on the problem of recognizing the on-bod...

The most important basis for evaluating an assistive device is whether it satisfies the needs of the disabled consumer. However, the factors that consumers consider in determining whether a device meets their needs are not well understood. This preliminary study applied a small focus group process to identify and prioritize factors used by long-term users of assistive technology in assessing th...

In this paper, the author proposes a novel configuration using a projection type wearable display, infrared camera with light source, and retro-reflective screen. In this configuration, the image is projected onto the retro-reflective screen. The screen location as well as the finger tip position relative to the user’s head is achieved using infrared camera and image processing. These locations...

In this paper we present an Ambient Intelligent System, the iGenda, and the integration of a wearable device. The aim is to detect emotional states through the wearable device and ultimately represent and manage the social emotion of a group of entities. The advantage of this action is that its usability is in line with retirement homes and similar places, where the community is extended and an...

In this paper, the implementation of Finger-Braille interfaces for navigation of Deaf-Blind people and the ubiquitous environment for barrier-free application are described. Finger-Braille is one of the commonly used communication methods among Deaf-Blind people in Japan. Two types of Finger-Braille devices, the vibration motor type and the solenoid type, are developed. Each device is connected...