Attachable Exoskeletal Pressure Sensor Based Backpack Using Selsyn Control for Postural Correction

AIP Conference Proceedings
(2023), Vol. 2502, pp. 040002
Francisco L. Uyvico , Jr.
a
,
Excel Troy A. Gerial
b
,
Lean Gerald B. Gonzales
b
,
Dominic C. Natividad
b
,
Wilson L. Ventic
b
a Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department FEU Institute of Technology, P. Paredes St. Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
b Far Eastern University East Asia College, Metro Manila, Philippines
Abstract: An attachable exoskeleton in backpacks for postural correction by using pressure sensors has been designed and implemented. The system determines the changes in body posture and the selsyn control for the proper posture of shoulder and spine correction. The design of the prototype is based on an exoskeleton which is a backpack, having straps with a selsyn motor, pressure sensors, and portable battery or power bank. The system's functionality and reliability were tested by recording the slouching angle of five test subjects. The study also aims to monitor the improvement of posture in the duration of 2 weeks upon the usage of the system. Pre-test and post-test of posture were evaluated by the physical therapist for improvement in posture and showed a significant reduction of the number of slouches per day for the five test subjects. The four test subjects failed to reach more than 40% reduction of number of slouches, but one subject attained 39.4% reduction. The system is an active device in reminding the subjects to maintain proper posture while most of the posture correctors available in the market are passive. The prototype was able to accomplish what it was designed and created for, which is to reduce the number of slouches for the improvement of the user's posture.