Estimation of traversed distance in level walking using a single inertial measurement unit attached to the waist

A method for estimating step length during level walking using a single inertial measurement unit is proposed. A combination of an optimally filtered direct and reverse integration technique and a velocity update technique for the initial velocity values identification was implemented to reduce the effects of the acceleration signals drift. The method takes advantage of the cyclic nature of gait. The inertial measurement unit was placed at waist level on the right side and the method was validated on eight subjects walking for 75 m while varying their speed. The traversed distance was estimated with an average error equal to 0.8% of the total walking distance.