Pervasive Motion Tracking and Muscle Activity Monitor

This paper introduces a novel human activity monitoring system combining Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) and Mechanomyographic (MMG) muscle sensing technology. While other work has recognised and implemented systems for combined muscle activity and motion recording, they have focused on muscle activity through EMG sensors, which have limited use outside controlled environments. MMG is a low frequency vibration emitted by skeletal muscle whose measurement does not require gel or adhesive electrodes, potentially offering much more efficient implementation for pervasive use. We have developed a combined IMU and MMG sensor the fusion of which provides a new dimension in human activity monitoring and bridges the gap between human dynamics and muscle activity. Results show that synergy between motion and muscle detection is not only viable, but straightforward, inexpensive, and can be packaged in a lightweight wearable package.