YouSlouch Software Idea: Alternative Use for Webcams
Posted by Dan Zambonini on 16th Feb 2010
Webcams, whether integrated into your laptop or clipped to the top of your monitor, are often used for entertainment: to chat with your family, flirt with acquaintances, or randomly interact with complete strangers. However, I've recently thought of an additional, valuable use for the humble webcam.
My back is currently aching, even though Box UK only uses the very best ergonomic chairs, and we've each been trained on how to set them up and sit correctly. The ache is almost certainly because I've recently developed bad posture, where I slowly-but-surely hunch towards the screen. Whenever I catch myself doing it, I correct my position, but when I'm deep in the middle of something I can often sit hunched for hours.
So, how about this: a simple application that runs in the background, and uses your built-in or external video camera to monitor your seating position. It will then warn you, either visually or audibly, when your posture changes noticeably. I dub it "YouSlouch".
Once installed, you would calibrate the software by sitting in the correct, upright position and clicking the "Calibrate" button. You could also adjust the sensitivity (how much change is required before a warning is triggered), and what type of warning you require.
The software would then continually (or every minute) monitor your calibrated position against your current position: if your body outline is much larger than the calibration image, you are probably hunching. If your body outline is lower or smaller, you may be slouching.
Obviously there are a number of (not insurmountable) complexities to the app (e.g. detecting the body outline above the background visual noise), but otherwise, what are your thoughts? Would this be useful?
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11 comments
Jennifer said on 16th Feb 2010
Good idea. Points and prizes for good posture too, perhaps?
Dan Zambonini said on 16th Feb 2010
Oh yes, I like that, turn it into a (very dull) game! "You've reached level 5, now see if you can beat the boss - The Evil RSI".
Mark Stevenson said on 16th Feb 2010
This would be awesome! I've just started seeing someone about my back pains, and as he rightly says, "no matter how good the chairs are, humans haven't evolved to be seated for 7 hours a day".
I know I'm doing it, but having something tell me off for doing it would certainly make me more aware of my posture.
Ben O'Steen said on 16th Feb 2010
There is a nice open source framework for computer vision which you might be interested in using - should be able to spot things like head inclination, movement tracking, etc
http://opencv.willowgarage.com/wiki/Welcome
(See the images down the bottom to get an idea of what the libraries can do)
There are C, C++ and python APIs for it.
Gareth Newns said on 16th Feb 2010
One reason for bad posture at your computer is your eyes when you get closer to your screen. Always worth getting them checked.
Dan Zambonini said on 16th Feb 2010
As @MintyVanilla pointed out on twitter, a software solution already exists for this:
http://www.postureminder.co.uk/
Sebastien said on 17th Feb 2010
Beside keeping a good posture, one thing that helped me is to take a break (and stand up, walk a bit) every 25 min
Dr Phil Worthington said on 18th Feb 2010
Hi,
As @MintyVanilla pointed out - I've already developed this and it works great. 30 day free trial on my website, please give it a go
Phil
hermione evans chartered physio said on 25th Feb 2010
Not sure if you will get this, but after a bit you will probably filter out the visual or auditory cues!! Probably about a week. So you will need something that changes from time to time. You also need some little graphics to get you to stretch and do what in the trade we call pause gym exercises. I would also recommend chairs from Advanced Seating Designs (www.asd.co.uk). they are tailor made to your build and height and keep rocking with you as make small movements thereby preventing muscle fatigue and disc dehydration. Spinal discs dehydrate and lose their cushioning by 20% in 2 hours of sitting. Sitting is death to discs. Movement is life!
michael said on 11th Mar 2010
Has anybody tried http://www.postureminder.co.uk/ ?
If so would love to hear your feed abck
Thx
Michael
ariemich@gmail.com
Stu said on 2nd Oct 2010
Yes it would be useful - I just thought of this and got here through google.
You could use opencv and code it up in a jiffy.
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