TABLE 1.
Comparison of NWS and WS measurement systems.
| NWS | • Accurate, precise, and repeatable measurements |
| • Free from environmental interference | |
| • Multidimensional feature sets can be extracted | |
| • No restriction of power consumption | |
| • The number of gait cycles that can be recorded depends on the dimension of equipment and room | |
| • High cost and bulky equipment confined to laboratory space | |
| • Requires comparatively higher subject preparation time and stringent protocols; often leads to biased walk from the subject | |
| • Not suitable for outdoor applications and continuous data monitoring | |
| WS | • The portable, low-cost, miniaturized system that can be easily integrated into electronic systems |
| • No need for a controlled environment; the application can be extended to indoor as well as real-life scenarios | |
| • It can be used for feedback in real-time control applications like orthosis/prosthesis control | |
| • The range of extracted gait features generally is low. However, with intelligent and powerful computing techniques, new features can be added | |
| • Requires complex data processing tools to tackle noise and external interferences | |
| • Sensor placement location and attachment is a significant issue | |
| • Restriction of power consumption |