Design and development of a foot position tracking device

In this study, we developed two types of sensors which can detect foot position of monoplegia patient during walking practice on the gait training equipment and compared their accuracy and performance. The first one is based on one-dimensional laser sensor array and load cell sensors and the foot position is decided by analyzing the signals from these sensors. The second one consists of a two-dimensional magnetic sensor array and a magnet shoe and the foot position can be detected by analyzing the signal from the two-dimensional magnetic sensor array. The comparison results show that the two-dimensional magnetic sensor array is more stable and robust in practical operating condition. Also, it showed that the conventional expensive foot pressure sensors which are widely used to detect foot position can be replaced by the two-dimensional magnetic sensor array.