BERMES Mobile Balance and Instability Assessment System

In this paper we introduce Hermes, a lightweight smart shoe and its supporting infrastructure aimed at extending instability analysis and human balance monitoring outside of a laboratory environment. By combining embedded sensing, signal processing and modeling techniques we create a scientific tool capable of quantifying high-level measures. The system monitors walking behavior and uses an instability assessment model to generate quantitative value with episodes of activity identified by the physician as important. The model incorporates variability and correlation of features extracted during ambulation that have been identified by geriatric motion study experts as precursors to instability, balance abnormality and possible fall risk. Our experiments demonstrate the feasibility of our model and the complimentary role our system can play by providing long-term monitoring of patients outside a hospital setting at a reduced cost, with greater user convenience, and inference capabilities that meet physicians and researchers needs.