ARWalker: A Virtual Walking Companion Application

TL;DR

ARWalker is an augmented reality application designed to help individuals, especially older adults and those with gait impairments, improve their walking patterns by synchronizing with virtual avatars that exhibit healthy gait properties.

Contribution

This paper introduces ARWalker, a novel AR-based gait training system utilizing virtual avatars to promote healthy walking in at-risk populations.

Findings

Prototype successfully implemented on Microsoft Hololens 2

Participants can synchronize gait with virtual avatars

Potential to reduce fall risk in vulnerable populations

Abstract

Extended Reality (XR) technologies, including Augmented Reality (AR), have attracted significant attention over the past few years and have been utilized in several fields, including education, healthcare, and manufacturing. In this paper, we aim to explore the use of AR in the field of biomechanics and human movement through the development of ARWalker, which is an AR application that features virtual walking companions (avatars). Research participants walk in close synchrony with the virtual companions, whose gait exhibits properties found in the gait of young and healthy adults. As a result, research participants can train their gait to the gait of the avatar, thus regaining the healthy properties of their gait and reducing the risk of falls. ARWalker can especially help older adults and individuals with diseases, who exhibit pathological gait thus being more prone to falls. We implement a prototype of ARWalker and evaluate its systems performance while running on a Microsoft Hololens 2 headset.