Title: Development and evaluation of wearable electro-goniometer for the assessment of repetitive efforts and measurement of joint trajectories during carpet weaving

Authors: Ashish Kumar Singh; M.L. Meena; Himanshu Chaudhary; Govind Sharan Dangayach

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, India

Abstract: The aim is to construct, calibrate and validate a low-cost sensor-embedded glove and elbow brace. This article establishes a common thread between electro-goniometry and postural assessment techniques. The output voltages from the sensors were converted into angles by implementing LabVIEW-Interface-for-Arduino based graphical environment. Ten experienced weavers participated in the study. Dynamic recordings of the finger, wrist and elbow bending trajectories were measured using sensory electro-goniometer. Assessment of repetitive task technique was used to identify the postural risks. Based on data output from each sensor, the voltage to angle optimal linear models were obtained for the measurement range of 0°-90° with 5° steps. The accuracy of the sensors was found within the limits of traditional goniometry. The cost-benefit breakdown revealed that wearable electro-goniometer is cost-effective as compared to commercially available electro-goniometers. The low-cost electro-goniometric glove and elbow brace for measurements of hand movements could be a promising tool for postural assessment and safety systems.

Keywords: carpet weaving; sensory gloves; resistive flex sensor; RFS; electro-goniometer; goniometry; assessment of repetitive task; ART; ergonomics; carpal tunnel syndrome; CTS; systems; safety; cost-benefit analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2020.108271

International Journal of Business and Systems Research, 2020 Vol.14 No.3, pp.314 - 340

Received: 09 Mar 2018
Accepted: 24 Nov 2018
Published online: 08 Jul 2020 *

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