Low-Cost Intelligent Carpet System for Footstep Detection

Recently, significant activities have been focused on the research of human identification and tracking systems in different environments. In this context, this paper describes a novel design and construction methodology for a low-cost intelligent carpet system for footstep detection. The carpet consists of activated carbon nonwoven material sandwiched between a pair of cross-aligned conductive wires to form in situ piezoresistive sensors. The assembly is externally covered with textiles to form a regular carpet. An electronic interface device and data treatment system is developed to monitor human footstep action-based piezoresistive changes observed within the carpet. The system is further practically validated for human footstep detection, localization, and counting. To demonstrate the potential application in human foot-step-based tracking, seven Gait features were extracted from piezoresistance change profile formed by human walking on the carpet and subsequently, a walking signature has been introduced. It is anticipated that such an intelligent carpet that retains its flexibility and textile aesthetics can be a good alternative for the conventional textile carpet with auxiliary functionality and added value.