Project Profile – Fitness Platform

Project Summary

I have several ideas for fitness type applications:

1. With the GPS shield, the coin-cell battery shield and a simple accelerometer I could develop a pedometer that is also able to map out your run. If I added a 2nd shield/ accelerometer I could also track the turn-over rate (i.e. the number of steps per mile) by placing one shield on either hip.  Stride length could also be calculated in this scenario (number of steps divided by distance).  Both turn-over rate and stride are important metrics for long distance runners
2. I have a pie-in-the-sky idea about instrumenting the insoles of a runner’s shoe with strain gauges to help them understand if they pronate/supinate or heel strike when they run. This would need a TinyDunio, coin-cell shield, accelerometer and a few strain gauges per foot.
3. I may also develop a reliable method to help track activity and work performed during a weightlifting work-out. Today most of the available activity monitors don’t do so well for weightlifting

 

Why I Chose TinyCircuits 

The fitness market is especially interesting because of its rapid growth and tendency to not require FDA approval. TinyDunio is an attractive development platform for me primarily because of its size and the different shields that if offers, the compact form factor is especially important in fitness applications. Other Ardunio (and other chipset) prototyping boards can tend to be too large for these applications. Additionally, the Arduino development environment and no FDA approval requirements means a quick product development cycle and product iterations once its market released.

This project will make use of the following TinyCircuits modules:

• TinyDuino Processor Board – used for the main logging system
• TinyShield USB – To allow for communication and programming, and only one is needed for all the sensor boards saving cost.
• TinyShield Proto – To connect to the  system
• TinyShield GPS – For mapping a user run
• TinyShield microSD – For long term data logging

 

About the Maker – Matt Yoder

I received my bachelors in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University (in Wisconsin) with a focus on biocomputing. My undergrad experience consisted of embedded firmware design, software design, operating systems, and a little electrical engineering. I have experience with PIC and Motorola HC12 prototyping boards.

After undergrad I moved to Minneapolis to work with a large medical device company and I currently develop pacemakers and implantable defibrillators.  Because of my biomedical background I have some interest in creating fitness and medical products. The fitness market is especially interesting because of its rapid growth and tendency to not require FDA approval.