Validation of a lower limb tracking system in virtual reality and its potential commercial use in healthcare

In the Czech Republic, but also in the whole of Europe, the number of joint replacements (so-called total joint replacements), especially of the knee and hip joints, is increasing significantly, which is primarily due to the ageing population and sedentary lifestyle. At the same time, the importance of rehabilitation and physiotherapy of the lower limbs after surgery or other orthopaedic intervention is also increasing in order to improve the quality of life of patients.
New spa and balneology treatment methods combined with virtual reality capabilities allow for customization and rehabilitation based on patient movement monitoring and evaluation of individual progression, which will maximize the overall effect of rehabilitation and spa treatment.

The main objective of the project, which ILaB is implementing in cooperation with XR Institute, s.r.o., is the technical development and subsequent testing of internal sensors, the creation and testing of a trekking sensor that will allow monitoring of lower limb movements in virtual and augmented reality.
The project CZ.01.01.01/08/23_036/0005335 is funded by the Operational Programme Technologies and Applications for Competitiveness (OP TAK).

During the implementation of the project, both hardware and software development of two prototype applications (one for virtual, the other for augmented reality), focused primarily on foot movement, will be addressed so that the final solution is technically and user-optimal. Another task is the design of movement activity scenarios, the design of movement parameters key to the exercise, the design of VR application scenarios, and the evaluation of the rehabilitation program. The output will be the results from the pilot testing.

Spa and rehabilitation facilities strive to improve and innovate the offer and quality of services provided to patients and clients. By implementing innovative spa and rehabilitation methods and procedures, which may be unique (e.g. using virtual and augmented reality), they can increase their competitiveness in the market. At the same time, they can use modern technologies to attract more interest from the younger generation in spa and new rehabilitation methods.

Currently, the project is at a crucial stage of hardware development, i.e. foot tracking (trekking) sensors. At this stage, technological and technical factors are mainly addressed - internal sensors, power supply, suitable housing for the controllers, stable clamping of the sensors, hygienic safety of the material. In parallel, the process of firmware development and software interfacing is underway, followed by connection to the Meta ecosystem and sensor calibration, then the phase of laboratory testing of algorithms in a prototype VR environment.

ILaB's task in the ongoing phase of the project is to design and define scenarios of relevant rehabilitation procedures and exercises, based on the experience and suggestions from the practice of physiotherapists. Based on the scenarios prepared in this way, they will be actually programmed and then tested. At the same time, ILaB is establishing first contacts with spa facilities suitable for participation in the testing of the project outputs and the functionality of the solution.