Machine learning and sensor fusion for estimating continuous energy expenditure

Abstract

In this article we provide insight into the BodyMedia FIT armband system-a wearable multisensor technology that continuously monitors physiological events related to energy expenditure for weight management using machinelearning and data-modeling methods. Since becoming commercially available in 2001, more than half a million users have used the system to track their physiological parameters and to achieve their individual health goals including weight loss. We describe several challenges that arise in applying machine-learning techniques to the health-care domain and present various solutions utilized in the armband system. We demonstrate how machine-learning and multisensor datafusion techniques are critical to the system's success. Copyright © 2012 Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence. All rights reserved.