SPW-1: a low-maintenance wearable activity tracker for residential monitoring and healthcare applications

Fafoutis, X., Janko, B., Mellios, E., Hilton, G., Sherratt, S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7899-4445, Piechocki, R. and Craddock, I. (2016) SPW-1: a low-maintenance wearable activity tracker for residential monitoring and healthcare applications. In: Giokas, K., Bokor, L. and Hopfgartner , F. (eds.) eHealth 360°. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, 181. Springer, pp. 294-305. ISBN 9783319496542 doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-49655-9_37

Abstract/Summary

In this paper, we present SPW-1; a low-profile versatile wearable activity tracker that employs two ultra-low-power accelerometers and relies on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for wireless communication. Aiming for a low maintenance system, SPW-1 is able to offer a battery lifetime of multiple months. Measurements on its wireless performance in a real residential environment with thick brick walls, demonstrate that SPW-1 can fully cover a room and - in most cases - the adjacent room, as well. SPW-1 is a research platform that is aimed to be used both as a data collecting tool for health-oriented studies outside the laboratory, but also for research on wearable technologies and body-centric communications. As a result, SPW-1 incorporates versatile features, such as external sensor support, various powering options, and accelerometer configuration options that can support a wide range applications from kinematics to long-term activity recognition.