Obstacle detection with MIMO 60 GHz radar for fall prevention

With medical and technological advancements allowing increasingly longer lives, achieving ongoing quality of life in the older population is becoming increasingly important. This population, aged 65 or older, has a greatly increased probability of experiencing a fall, which can have seriously detrimental impacts on quality of life and impose substantial health-care costs. Fall prevention is, therefore, fundamental to successful ageing and gait analysis provides a powerful tool for tackling this component of public health. This paper presents findings showing the potential of a novel mm-wave wearable sensor system for realworld gait monitoring. Results of experiments showing the detection of non-conductive obstacles are presented and it is concluded that this technology is feasible for further developments in falls-prevention focussed wearable devices.