Tactile sensing is a developing technology and can be used for detecting parameters describing contact between surfaces. It is of growing application as the technology progresses with increased possibilities for automatic perception. In this chapter the potential of the distributive sensing approach is discussed for monitoring metrics, motion and behaviour in people through the outcome of a series of experimental applications. These illustrate the ability to extract descriptions as information, rather than data on metrics or motion. The method uses an approach of discrimination to determine parameters describing contact conditions or for recognising the nature of contact. Using this approach, the distributive deformation response of a surface detected at a few sensing points leads to a device of mechanical simplicity. The approach has similarities with living tactile systems and offers the advantages of robust construction, greater resolution than the separation of sensing elements, and redundancy. The benefit of outputting information at source is the efficiency in storage and transmission and is a positive advantage for a sensing solution in the home. In homecare, the possibilities for monitoring people are numerous. The approach is discussed with reference to examples. Different techniques to derive describing parameters have to be applied to suit the different types of static or dynamic responses of surfaces in different applications. This approach to tactile sensing has an extensive future however the understanding of optimal design is at the developing stage.
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Abstract
Ma, X.; Brett, Peter, Handbook of Digital Homecare, 2009, 203-219, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-01387-4_10
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