Physical Activity Innovations, LLC is developing unique, footwear-based systems that motivate users to increase their daily physical activity. Founders are uniquely positioned to carry out research in physical activity monitoring, and have strong expertise and synergy in obesity research, medical device development, signal processing and human subjects research. Technology in the footwear-based systems is based on research from Clarkson University, Colorado State University, and the University of Colorado Denver. Daily weight gain results when energy intake is greater than energy expended. Even a very small difference, for example 20 calories (kcal) per day, results in an approximate weight gain of two pounds per year. To be effective, tools used to monitor energy expenditure must be very accurate, and capable of measuring small changes in daily physical activity. The goal of PAI's Fit Companion, a small unobtrusive device that can be mounted in any shoe, is to measure energy expenditure to within 5% accuracy, and posture and weight within 1%. Mounted in regular shoes, the device includes a combination of inexpensive pressure sensors, an accelerometer and microelectronics, which wirelessly transmits date to a cell phone.
The cell phone processor applies signal processing and pattern recognition to: * Recognize major postures and activities (sitting, walking, climbing stairs, cycling, etc.) * Compute calories (kcal) and weight * Provide real time feedback aimed at boosting metabolism ("you've been sitting for too long... let's take another 100 steps" On a periodic basis, the user can 'synch' their cell phones to a PC, which transmits the collected information to web-based programs and specialists. These specialists, who may be coaches or medical professionals, can then provide very specific advice to the users to fine tune their daily activity and nutritional programs.
