An Omnidirectional Platform Design: Application to Posture Analysis

This article describes the use of a robotic platform in the analysis of the posture. This platform is able to move while providing the position of the center of pressure (COP). Therefore, biomechanical data are calculated using the measurements provided by the sensors associated to the platform. These allow the estimation of joints stabilometric signals from the data and loads measured between the user and the platform. In our analysis, several levels of disturbance were tested to determine the level and type of disturbance compatible with the strategy adopted by the user. The experiments conducted have confirmed the usefulness of such platform in supporting therapists in their analysis. The features of the used platform enable the simulation of dynamic movements in transportation and it allows an omnidirectional movement on four axles. It is capable of supporting the weight of a human of about 120kg while applying maximum acceleration of \(2m/s^2\) along longitudinal or lateral directions. Some results on the design of the platform and the analysis will be exposed in this article.