MoRe-T2 (mobility research trajectory tracker): validation and application.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Computer Vision

Background:

• Current mobility aid assessments rely on subjective therapist evaluations and basic practical tests.
• Objective assessments capturing speed, success, accuracy, and risk are needed for fairer and safer patient care.
• Existing objective assessment systems are often cost-prohibitive, particularly in low-resource environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe, validate, and demonstrate MoRe-T2 (mobility research trajectory tracker), a low-cost computer vision system for objective mobility aid assessment.
• To benchmark MoRe-T2's accuracy against industry-standard motion capture systems.
• To showcase MoRe-T2's scalability and cost-effectiveness for mobility aid research and clinical application.

Main Methods:

• Development of an open-source system (MoRe-T2) utilizing inexpensive webcams and printed fiducial markers for pose tracking.
• Validation of MoRe-T2's accuracy by comparing its performance against the CODA motion tracking system.
• Demonstration of MoRe-T2's utility in assessing wheelchair maneuverability over a large area.

Main Results:

• MoRe-T2 achieves accuracy comparable to the industry-standard CODA motion tracking system.
• The system successfully demonstrated wheelchair maneuverability assessment over a significant area.
• MoRe-T2 offers a scalable solution at a substantially lower cost than traditional motion tracking systems.

Conclusions:

• MoRe-T2 provides a viable, low-cost solution for objective mobility aid assessment.
• The system's accuracy and affordability make it suitable for widespread adoption, especially in low-resource settings.
• MoRe-T2 facilitates the development of more reliable and equitable assessments for mobility aid prescription and research.