Machine Learning based Fall Detector with a Sensorized Tip

[EN]Fall detection has become an area of interest in recent years, as quick response to these events is critical to reduce the morbidity and mortality rate. In order to ensure proper fall detection, several technologies have been developed, including vision system, environmental detection systems, a...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Brull Mesanza, Asier, D'Ascanio, Ilaria, Zubizarreta Pico, Asier, Palmerini, Luca, Chiari, Lorenzo, Cabanes Axpe, Itziar
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universidad del País Vasco
Repositorio:Addi. Archivo Digital para la Docencia y la Investigación
OAI Identifier:oai:addi.ehu.eus:10810/68372
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10810/68372
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:machine learning
support vector machine
random forest
fall detection
wearable sensors
instrumented crutch
monitoring
Descripción
Sumario:[EN]Fall detection has become an area of interest in recent years, as quick response to these events is critical to reduce the morbidity and mortality rate. In order to ensure proper fall detection, several technologies have been developed, including vision system, environmental detection systems, and wearable sensor based systems. However, in elderly or impaired people, it has been shown that the implementation of sensors in Assistive Devices for Walking, such as crutches or canes, can also be a promising alternative. In this work, a Support Vector Machine (SVM) based Fall Detection system is proposed, which uses the data provided by a Sensorized Tip which can be attached to different Assistive Devices for Walking (ADW). Unlike other approaches, the developed one is able to differentiate the fall of the ADW from the fall of the user. For that purpose, the developed Fall Detector uses two modules connected in series. The first one detects all falls, while the second differentiates between user and ADW falls. The proposed approach is validated in a set of experimental tests carried out by healthy volunteers that have simulated different falls. In addition, a comparative analysis is carried out by comparing the performance of the Sensorized Tip based Fall Detector and a state-of-the-art commercial accelerometer system. Results demonstrate that the proposed approach provides high Fall Detection Ratios (over 90%), similar or higher to wearable-sensor based approaches.