Ambient Mobility Testing Using mm-Wave Radar Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for mobility testing, such as the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, are not suitable for continuous monitoring in home settings, lack privacy preservation, and require users to change their daily routines or wear sensors, leading to inaccurate and infrequent assessments of fall risk in older adults.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automated ambient mobility testing using sensors like mm-wave radar, LIDAR, or Wi-Fi sensors to detect and analyze TUG actions without user intervention, providing continuous, privacy-preserving monitoring of mobility decline and anomalies by aggregating data over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional TUG testing is conducted in clinical settings with observer timing, then the test can be performed with simple props and procedures, but the assessment frequency is insufficient and observer bias affects measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual stopwatch timing system with an automated sensor-based detection system. Sensors detect movement parameters (position, velocity, acceleration) to automatically determine TUG test completion and timing, eliminating observer bias and enabling continuous automated assessment without requiring clinical setting or observer presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service mobility assessment where individuals can perform TUG tests in their own environment without clinician supervision. The automated sensor system independently detects and times the test actions, allowing frequent assessments in home settings while maintaining measurement precision through objective sensor data rather than human observation.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If sensors are worn on the body for mobility monitoring, then continuous tracking is possible, but users must change their daily routines and wear the sensors consistently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the body (wearable sensors) and places it in the environment (ambient sensors). By removing sensors from the user and placing them in the surrounding space, the system enables continuous monitoring without requiring users to wear devices or alter their daily routines, as the ambient sensors passively detect movements naturally occurring in the environment.
3Loss of information
If video cameras are used for mobility assessment, then visual recording of actions is achieved, but privacy concerns arise in home settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes video camera optical recording with sensor-based physical measurement. Instead of capturing visual images that reveal personal information, the system uses sensors to detect movement parameters (position, velocity, acceleration) that objectively quantify mobility without recording visual data, thereby preserving privacy while maintaining measurement capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate, continuous, and privacy-preserving assessment of mobility decline and fall risk in older adults, allowing for frequent monitoring without altering daily routines or wearing sensors, improving the detection of mobility issues and reducing the risk of falls.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one sensor may be an mm-wave radar
Implementation Method 2
the at least one sensor may be an mm-wave radar, LIDAR sensor or a WI-FI sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system for ambient mobility testing including: at least one sensor configured to collect data associated with an individual's movement; an analysis module configured to analyze the collected data to determine a set of timed-up-and-go (TUG) actions of a TUG test and determine results of a complete TUG test; and a reporting module configured to provide the results of the TUG test. A method for ambient mobility testing, the method including: collecting data associated with an individual's movement, via at least one sensor; analyzing the collected data to determine timed-up-and-go (TUG) actions of a TUG test; determining results of a complete TUG test; and providing the results of the TUG test.