KickSoul: Electronic control system

A team of researchers at MIT Media Lab (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) has introduced the KickSoul system, which allows users to control smartphones, computers or some other electronic device by transferring them. foot movement

Device control system by foot

Led by Xavier Benavides, a sophomore who is studying for a master's degree, the team begins to develop everything with a common cushion, then sews some electronic components in the middle. These electronic devices include an Arduino circuit, a Bluetooth module and a 6-axis IMU acceleration sensor (with inertial measurement capabilities, including an accelerometer and gyroscope).

The IMU recognizes all of the foot movements, then forwards them to the Arduino. Using a special algorithm, it is possible to predict two leg movements with two different intentions: one is expected to "push" , and one with a "hold" intention . When one of these two actions is detected, Bluetooth technology is used to notify an application on the smartphone of the wearer.

Depending on the specific settings, this will affect the operation of the device as well as many devices. For example, KickSoul has the ability to zoom in or out on the computer screen by moving the foot forward or back, turning on the lights when the user's hands are too busy on the bag, On the phone when holding it with one hand or command to accept / reject calls when the smartphone is out of reach.

There is currently no information on the possibility of commercializing this technology, although Benavide and his colleagues recently presented a report on KickSoul at the annual Software and Public Symposium. UI, located in Charlotte, North Carolina (USA).