Design and Analysis of Electronic Head Protector for Taekwondo Sports

Electronic point scoring systems (PSS) for vests are heavily relied upon in taekwondo. However, no classification and assessment of legal and illegal taekwondo techniques exist. This is also referred to as hit-validation and the objective of this research is to create an electronic helmet (eHelmet) for hit-validation. Three main studies were performed to achieve this objective: Robustness Testing, Sensor Placement and Classification of Impacts to the head. The first two studies are preliminary to the main Classification of Impacts study. This is needed as no data sets using an IMU are currently available for taekwondo. Robustness Testing: proved that IMU can in-fact be used in the inherently harsh environments of taekwondo with a linear response. The calculated response for the IMU is: f(x) = mx + b, where m is 0.2947 and b is 1.499 (accelerometer) and f(x) = mx + b, where m is 28.33 and b is 84.8 (gyroscope). Sensor Placement: Qualitatively and quantitatively concluded the ideal location for the sensor and electronics is indeed the back of the head, based on durability, cost, human factors, and signal quality. Classification of Impacts: IMU classified real-world impacts with 90% accuracy. The two classes were roundhouse kick (legal) and punch (illegal). An eHelmet using an IMU is capable of classifying impacts with high accuracy. The benefit of our system includes low cost, lightweight algorithm for on-device computing (edge computing), and real-time classification. Furthermore, it possesses all the safety requirements of current protective headgear.