Eduard Rhein Youth Award for Radio, Television and Information Technology: Software analyses walking movement

Some clinics and medical supply stores have a so-called gait lab. Here, patients walk on a special mat while sensors and cameras record their individual walking movements. Afterwards, software analyzes the gait and provides information on suitable shoe inserts, for example. However, such gait labs are expensive, which is why Matthias Fuchs decided to develop a much less expensive concept in his research project. It is based on a microcomputer and two small cameras for recording walking movements. The young researcher programmed the computer in such a way that it primarily analyzes the movements of the joints during walking. A comparison with a professional gait lab showed that the inexpensive home-made system also delivers useful results.