Authors:
Carina Figueira
1
;
Joana Silva
1
;
António Santos
1
;
Filipe Sousa
1
;
Vinícius Silva
2
;
João Ramos
2
;
Filomena Soares
2
;
Paulo Novais
2
and
Pedro Azeres
2
Affiliations:
1
Fraunhofer Portugal Research Center for Assistive Information and Communication Solutions, Portugal
;
2
University of Minho, Portugal
Keyword(s):
Activity Monitoring, Boccia, Kinect, Wearable Devices.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Human-Machine Interfaces
;
Image Processing
;
Informatics in Control, Automation and Robotics
;
Robotics and Automation
;
Sensors Fusion
;
Signal Processing, Sensors, Systems Modeling and Control
Abstract:
The size of the aging population has been increasing over the last years, leading to a search for solutions that
can increase the quality of life of the elderlies. One of the main means of action is focused on their physical
activity. A non-sedentary life can help in disease prevention and disability reduction, leading to an independent
living with quality. Moreover, the practice of physical exercise can decrease fall risks and its consequences.
Furthermore, it is desirable that the solutions can be accessed by anyone, with a low inherent cost. The Boccia
game is a good way to promote physical activity to the elderly, due to its simplicity and easy adaptability to
the physical limitations of the elderly. Following this trend, this paper presents iBoccia, a novel framework
to monitor elderly while playing Boccia game, through wearable sensors, Mio Fuse band and pandlet (inertial
sensor), and a non-wearable device, Kinect camera. Several performance metrics are expected to be m
easured
during the gameplay. Using the pandlet we calculate wrist rotation angles and force applied during ball throw,
using the Kinect we recognize facial expressions and from the Mio Fuse band we retrieve heart rate.
(More)