Sitting posture monitoring using Velostat based pressure sensors matrix

Abstract

Working in an office environment leads to sedentary behavior. Prolonged sitting increases back pain and soreness, leading to spinal trauma – scoliosis. Therefore, this research aims to create an automatic tool to help identify the main human body characteristics responsible for good body mass distribution. For this purpose, an 8 × 8 pressure sensor matrix with signal acquisition system was built using Velostat. The commercially available composite piezoresistive material was selected as a pressure transducer due to its flexibility, versatility and low price. After system calibration, its functionality was validated by observing the sitting postures of 9 participants. Participant matrix map analysis showed differences in force distribution between sexes and subjects with and without spine trauma. This research will help monitor the office environment and increase workers’ health and productivity.