GaitObserver: Robotic Solution Unveiling Human Walking Dynamics in Motor-Cognitive Dual Tasks

The Motor Cognitive Dual-Task (MCDT) protocols have experienced a positive impact due to the increasing accessibility of new technologies for gait assessment. This study proposes the adoption of a novel hybrid system composed of wearable sensors and a Socially Assistive Robot (SAR) for gait assessment using MCDT protocols, i.e. GaitObserver. The results reveal statistically significant differences between simple gait and dual-task gait performances in parameters such as the number of steps (p < 0.01), step length (p < 0.01), stride phase time (p = 0.02), and the ratio between the average right and left stride time (p = 0.02). By using the proposed system, the authors managed to obtain data from the temporal (inertial data) and spatial domains (laser data), allowing for a more comprehensive and ecologically valid assessment of gait performance in the MCDT protocol.