Posturemonitor: Real-time IMU wearable technology to foster poise and health

Abstract

This paper presents the prototype development and verification of a simple wearable posture monitor system, based on a miniature MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). The Inertial Measurement Unit uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to estimate the orientation of the module through sensor fusion algorithms. The system provides a warning to the user wearing it when he/she is departing by an adjustable margin from the posture indicated to the system as correct. Continuous real-time warnings of this type will help the user acquire good posture habits, which has the potential to prevent or assuage health problems caused by chronic bad posture.