scholarly journals Trunk Flexion Monitoring among Warehouse Workers Using a Single Inertial Sensor and the Influence of Different Sampling Durations

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7117
Author(s):  
Micaela Porta ◽  
Massimiliano Pau ◽  
Pier Francesco Orrù ◽  
Maury A. Nussbaum
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Measurement Unit ◽  
Inertial Sensor ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Trunk Flexion ◽  
Acceptable Error ◽  
Low Back Disorders ◽  
Exposure Variation Analysis ◽  
Warehouse Workers ◽  
Future Work

Trunk flexion represents a risk factor for the onset of low-back disorders, yet limited quantitative data exist regarding flexion exposures in actual working conditions. In this study, we evaluated the potential of using a single inertial measurement unit (IMU) to classify trunk flexion, in terms of amplitude, frequency, and duration, and assessed the influence of alternative time durations on exposure results. Twelve warehouse workers were monitored during two hours of an actual shift while wearing a single IMU on their low back. Trunk flexion data were reduced using exposure variation analysis integrated with recommended exposure thresholds. Workers spent 5.1% of their working time with trunk flexion of 30–60° and 2.3% with flexion of 60–90°. Depending on the level of acceptable error, relatively shorter monitoring periods (up to 50 min) might be sufficient to characterize trunk flexion exposures. Future work is needed, however, to determine if these results generalize to other postural exposures and tasks.

scholarly journals Trunk Posture during Manual Materials Handling of Beer Kegs

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7380
Author(s):  
Colleen Brents ◽  
Molly Hischke ◽  
Raoul Reiser ◽  
John Rosecrance
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Inertial Measurement Unit ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Inertial Measurement ◽  
Materials Handling ◽  
Kinematic Measurement ◽  
Manual Materials Handling ◽  
Trunk Posture ◽  
Data Design

Craft brewing is a rapidly growing industry in the U.S. Most craft breweries are small businesses with few resources for robotic or other mechanical-assisted equipment, requiring work to be performed manually by employees. Craft brewery workers frequently handle stainless steel half-barrel kegs, which weigh between 13.5 kg (29.7 lbs.) empty and 72.8 kg (161.5 lbs.) full. Moving kegs may be associated with low back pain and even injury. In the present study, researchers performed a quantitative assessment of trunk postures using an inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based kinematic measurement system while workers lifted kegs at a craft brewery. Results of this field-based study indicated that during keg handling, craft brewery workers exhibited awkward and non-neutral trunk postures. Based on the results of the posture data, design recommendations were identified to reduce the hazardous exposure for musculoskeletal disorders among craft brewery workers.

Study of Zero Velocity Update for Both Low- and High-Speed Human Activities

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Zhang ◽  
M. Loschonsky ◽  
L.M. Reindl
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Inertial Measurement Unit ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Inertial Sensor ◽  
Stair Climbing ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Test Cases ◽  
Zero Velocity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Algorithm Implementation

Previous studies show that inertial sensor-based personal positioning benefited from Zero Velocity Update (ZUPT) method by resetting the foot speed at every foot step. However, only the solution for normal pedestrian movement with small velocity like walking was given. This paper presents a novel ZUPT system which can be used in a wide range of human activities, including walking, running, and stair climbing by using two inertial measurement unit (IMU) modules. One is attached on the centre of the human body for human activities’ classification and recognition. The other one is mounted on the foot for ZUPT algorithm implementation based on the result of activities’ recognition. Test cases include stair climbing by walking and running, walking, fast walking, and running. In all cases, most of the steps are able to be detected and the new ZUPT system can be successfully implemented.

scholarly journals Development of an Algorithm for Automatically Assessing Lifting Risk Factors Using Inertial Measurement Units

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 1334-1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Lun Lu ◽  
Shuo Feng ◽  
Grant Hughes ◽  
Menekse S. Barim ◽  
Marie Hayden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
The Body ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Trunk Flexion ◽  
Inertial Measurement ◽  
Motion Data ◽  
Low Back Disorders ◽  
Machine Learning Approach ◽  
Measurement Units ◽  
Forearm Length

The objective of this study was to develop an algorithm for automatically processing data collected with inertial measurement unit (IMU) wearable devices to measure lifting risk factors for low back disorders. Five IMU sensors attached to five body segments were used for developing the algorithm. The algorithm consists of two modules running in parallel for detecting the beginning and ending of a lifting event as well as the vertical height (V) of the object lifted by two hands and the horizontal (H) distance between the object and the body during the lift. The motion synchronization feature of wrists’ motion data were used to train the lifting detection module using a machine learning approach. This module achieved a training accuracy of 85%. In the second module, the forearm length and gyroscope data of four sensors are proposed for calculating trunk flexion angle, V and H during a lift.

Wireless Input Technology Based on MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit - A Survey

2017 ◽  
Vol 870 ◽  
pp. 79-84
Author(s):  
Zhen Xian Fu ◽  
Guang Ying Zhang ◽  
Yu Rong Lin ◽  
Yang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Measurement Unit ◽  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
Inertial Sensor ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Propagation Model ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Input Device ◽  
Operational Environment ◽  
Inertial Measurement ◽  
Mems Imu

Rapid progress in Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS) technique is making inertial sensors increasingly miniaturized, enabling it to be widely applied in people’s everyday life. Recent years, research and development of wireless input device based on MEMS inertial measurement unit (IMU) is receiving more and more attention. In this paper, a survey is made of the recent research on inertial pens based on MEMS-IMU. First, the advantage of IMU-based input is discussed, with comparison with other types of input systems. Then, based on the operation of an inertial pen, which can be roughly divided into four stages: motion sensing, error containment, feature extraction and recognition, various approaches employed to address the challenges facing each stage are introduced. Finally, while discussing the future prospect of the IMU-based input systems, it is suggested that the methods of autonomous and portable calibration of inertial sensor errors be further explored. The low-cost feature of an inertial pen makes it desirable that its calibration be carried out independently, rapidly, and portably. Meanwhile, some unique features of the operational environment of an inertial pen make it possible to simplify its error propagation model and expedite its calibration, making the technique more practically viable.

EKF-Based 6D SLAM for Air-Duct Cleaning Robot Using Inertial Sensor and Stereo Vision

2013 ◽  
Vol 313-314 ◽  
pp. 941-945
Author(s):  
Cong Wang ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
De Xu Bu ◽  
Zhi Wei Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Information Fusion ◽  
Inertial Measurement Unit ◽  
Inertial Sensor ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Inertial Measurement ◽  
Mapping Algorithm ◽  
Cleaning Robot ◽  
Duct Cleaning Robot ◽  
Ventilation Duct ◽  
Duct Cleaning

The air-duct cleaning robot (ADCR) is an effective and safe tool for accomplishing terrible cleaning work in an air-duct network. In this paper, a six-dimensional simultaneous localizing and mapping algorithm based on multi-sensor information fusion is proposed to improve the ADCR's autonomous ability in unknown duct environment. By combing an inertial measurement unit (IMU) with a stereo camera and fusing the measurements of sensors with the extended Kalman filter, the uncertainty of measurement caused by noises can be bounded in a low level. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed scheme was proved to be accurate and robust with experiments in an experimental ventilation-duct environment.

scholarly journals Performance Assessment of an Ultra Low-Cost Inertial Measurement Unit for Ground Vehicle Navigation

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (18) ◽  
pp. 3865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Gonzalez ◽  
Paolo Dabove
Keyword(s):  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Inertial Measurement Unit ◽  
Microelectromechanical Systems ◽  
Inertial Sensor ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Navigation Systems ◽  
Mass Market ◽  
Inertial Measurement ◽  
Mems Imu

Nowadays, navigation systems are becoming common in the automotive industry due to advanced driver assistance systems and the development of autonomous vehicles. The MPU-6000 is a popular ultra low-cost Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) inertial measurement unit (IMU) used in several applications. Although this mass-market sensor is used extensively in a variety of fields, it has not caught the attention of the automotive industry. Moreover, a detailed performance analysis of this inertial sensor for ground navigation systems is not available in the previous literature. In this work, a deep examination of one MPU-6000 IMU as part of a low-cost navigation system for ground vehicles is provided. The steps to characterize the performance of the MPU-6000 are divided in two phases: static and kinematic analyses. Besides, an additional MEMS IMU of superior quality is also included in all experiments just for the purpose of comparison. After the static analysis, a kinematic test is conducted by generating a real urban trajectory registering an MPU-6000 IMU, the higher-grade MEMS IMU, and two GNSS receivers. The kinematic trajectory is divided in two parts, a normal trajectory with good satellites visibility and a second part where the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal is forced to be lost. Evaluating the attitude and position inaccuracies from these two scenarios, it is concluded in this preliminary work that this mass-market IMU can be considered as a convenient inertial sensor for low-cost integrated navigation systems for applications that can tolerate a 3D position error of about 2 m and a heading angle error of about 3 °.

scholarly journals Comment on “Hurdle Clearance Detection and Spatiotemporal Analysis in 400 Meters Hurdles Races Using Shoe-Mounted Magnetic and Inertial Sensor”

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Schmidt ◽  
Tobias Alt ◽  
Kevin Nolte ◽  
Thomas Jaitner
Keyword(s):  
Contact Time ◽  
Inertial Measurement Unit ◽  
Inertial Sensor ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Spatiotemporal Analysis ◽  
Flight Time ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Step Frequency ◽  
Inertial Measurement

The recent paper “Hurdle Clearance Detection and Spatiotemporal Analysis in 400 Meters Hurdles Races Using Shoe-Mounted Magnetic and Inertial Sensor” (Sensors 2020, 20, 354) proposes a wearable system based on a foot-worn miniature inertial measurement unit (MIMU) and different methods to detect hurdle clearance and to identify the leading leg during 400-m hurdle races. Furthermore, the presented system identifies changes in contact time, flight time, running speed, and step frequency throughout the race. In this comment, we discuss the original paper with a focus on the ecological validity and the applicability of MIMU systems for field-based settings, such as training or competition for elite athletes.

scholarly journals Assessment of Motion and Muscle Activation Impacts on Low Back Pain during Pregnancy Using an Inertial Measurement Unit

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3690
Author(s):  
Saori Morino ◽  
Mamoru Yamashita ◽  
Fumiko Umezaki ◽  
Hiroko Hatanaka ◽  
Masaki Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Inertial Measurement Unit ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Erector Spinae ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Inertial Measurement

Specific physiological changes during pregnancy exert excessive strain on muscles such as the erector spinae (ES) and contribute to low back pain (LBP). The link between LBP and sit-to-stand (STS) motion has previously been investigated through motion analysis using an inertial measurement unit (IMU); however, the factors leading to LBP have not been revealed. Moreover, clinicians require an effective assessment method for reducing the physical burden on pregnant women. Therefore, the investigation of the relationships between motion, muscle load calculated from musculoskeletal model for pregnancy, and the severity of LBP during STS in pregnant women was conducted. Furthermore, this study proposes a method for assessing motion and muscle load during STS using an IMU. The relationship among (i) motion evaluation indices and ES muscle torque, and (ii) the ES torque and the intensity of LBP during STS was investigated. As the results, significant positive correlations were observed between (i) the angular velocity of the torso in the sagittal plane and ES torque, and (ii) two types of evaluation indices of ES torque and intensity of LBP. The proposed method by an IMU attached to the torso could effectively assess ES load related to LBP during STS in pregnant women.

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