Mobile Gait Analysis Robot With Side LiDAR Foot Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gait analysis methods are expensive, require sensors attached to the body, and are limited to controlled environments, making them inaccessible and impractical for everyday use.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot equipped with a gait measurement LiDAR sensor unit that protrudes from its side to measure foot movements without body attachment, allowing continuous gait analysis in various environments by maintaining a preset distance from the subject using front LiDAR scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional gait analysis methods use load-measuring mattresses or high-speed cameras, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems (load-measuring mattresses, high-speed cameras) with a mobile robot equipped with LiDAR sensors that use laser scanning to detect foot positions and gait parameters, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot acts as an intermediary measurement device that moves with the subject and collects gait data through LiDAR scanning, eliminating the need for complex fixed infrastructure like mattresses or camera systems while achieving accurate gait analysis
2Measurement precision
If sensors are attached to the subject's body for gait analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to preparation time and subject burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the subject's body by using a mobile robot with external LiDAR sensors that track foot movements without requiring any sensors to be attached to the subject, thereby eliminating preparation time and subject burden while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot performs self-positioning and automatic tracking of the subject's feet using LiDAR scanning, eliminating the need for manual sensor attachment and calibration by the subject, thus improving ease of operation
3Measurement precision
If gait analysis is performed in controlled laboratory environments, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to location restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static laboratory environment into a dynamic mobile measurement system where the robot moves with the subject through various environments, enabling gait analysis in diverse locations while maintaining measurement precision through active tracking and LiDAR scanning
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot provides universal gait analysis capability that works in multiple environments (laboratories, homes, outdoor areas) by combining LiDAR-based foot tracking with mobile navigation, eliminating location restrictions while preserving measurement accuracy
4Measurement precision
If expensive equipment is used for gait analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases making it inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs relatively inexpensive LiDAR sensors and mobile robot components instead of expensive specialized gait analysis equipment, making the system more accessible while achieving sufficient measurement precision for gait analysis applications
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 simple, cost-effective, and unrestricted gait analysis by tracking and measuring foot movements, providing comprehensive gait evaluation and disease prediction through AI models, suitable for diverse settings beyond laboratories.
Implementation Method 1
a front LiDAR sensor unit mounted on the main body to scan the front side
Implementation Method 2
a gait measurement LiDAR sensor unit that is installed to protrude forward from the side of the main body and measures the movements of the feet
Data Source
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AI summary
Proposed is a mobile robot for gait analysis wherein the robot includes a main body, a driving unit for moving the main body, a front LiDAR sensor unit being mounted on the main body and scanning the front side, a controller that controls the driving unit to follow a subject to be measured with a preset distance maintained by using scanning information of a front LiDAR sensor unit, a gait measurement LiDAR sensor unit that is installed to protrude forward from the side of the main body and measures the movement of the foot of the subject to be measured, and a gait analysis unit that analyzes the gait of the subject to be measured by using the movement of the foot measured in the gait measurement LiDAR sensor unit.