Smart surface: Large scale textile pressure sensors arrays for activity recognition
In this paper we present textile based surface pressure mapping as a novel, unobtrusive information source for activity recognition. The concept is motivated by the observation that the vast majority of human activities are associated with certain types of surface contact (walking, running, etc. on the floor; sitting on a chair/sofa; eating, writing, etc. at a table; exercising on a fitness mat, and many others) A key hypothesis which we validate in this paper is: by analysing subtle features of such interaction, various complex activities, often ones that are difficult to distinguish using other unobtrusive sensors, can be well recognised. A core contribution of our work is a sensing and recognition system based on cheap, easy to produce textile components. These components can be integrated into matrices with tens of thousands of elements, a spatial pitch as fine as 1zcm2, temporal granularity of up to 40 Hz and pressure dynamic range from 0.25?105 to 5?105 zPa. We present the evaluation of the concept and the technology in five scenarios, through matrix monitoring driver motions at a car seat (32?32 sensors on 32?32zcm2) a Smart YogaMat (80?80 sensors on 80?80zcm2) detecting and counting exercises, to a Smart Tablecloth (30?42 sensors on 30?42zcm2) recognising various types of food being eaten.
Pervasive Mob. Comput.