IRuCoR: Intelligent Running Companion Robot for Personalized Training

In this study, we introduce IRuCoR, an intelligent running companion robot designed to provide personalized training during running exercises. IRuCoR runs ahead of the user, analyzes the user’s running posture, and provides audio feedback to correct improper postures when detected. It also recognizes the user’s command poses to set reference velocities. It autonomously navigates the track lane of a running field using a front camera and recognizes the poses of the user using a rear camera. For personalized training, users provide their information to IRuCoR via a touchscreen display or QR code and they can review workout details upon completing their running exercise. The proposed robot system was experimentally evaluated on an actual outdoor track, demonstrating its effectiveness through the evaluation of the pose detection capabilities and autonomous track navigation functionality.