A method for physical therapy. The method includes having a plurality of visual indicators on a body of an individual, each visual indicator of the plurality of indicators corresponding to a unique location on the body. The method further includes establishing visual contact with, using a viewing apparatus, at least two of the plurality of visual indicators. The method further includes moving the body to vary a spatial relationship between the at least two of the plurality of visual indicators while in visual contact with the at least two of the plurality of visual indicators, to thereby produce a therapeutic effect for the individual.

Disclosed is a method of identifying a parameter of a characteristic of a muscle, and walking assistance apparatuses and method based on the method. The method of identifying a parameter of a characteristic of a muscle includes estimating a first torque of a joint based on an electromyogram (EMG) signal, estimating a second torque of the joint based on motion data, and identifying a parameter of a characteristic of a muscle associated with the joint based on the first torque and the second torque.

Provided is a walking assistance method and apparatus for providing an assistance torque to an ankle of a user. To provide an assistance torque to an ankle of a user, a first pressure value and a second pressure value are received from a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor, a ratio between the first pressure value and the second pressure value is calculated, a gain value is determined based on the ratio, an assistance torque value is calculated based on the ratio and the gain value, and a driver is controlled to output the assistance torque value.

A method for controlling an ankle-type walking assistance device may include measuring an angle of a joint of the walking assistance apparatus, calculating an angular velocity and a linear velocity of a frame of the walking assistance device using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) attached to the frame, generating a dynamics model for the walking assistance device based on the angle of the joint, the angular velocity and the linear velocity of the frame, calculating a disturbance applied to the walking assistance device based on the dynamics model, and controlling the walking assistance device based on the calculated force, equivalent, or wrench.

Embodiments herein relate to hearing assistance devices and related systems and methods for providing visual feedback to a subject undergoing physical therapy or vestibular movement training. In an embodiment, a method of providing physical or vestibular therapy to a subject is included. The method can include prompting the subject to move in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount as part of a first predetermined movement. The method can further include tracking movement of the subject using a first IMU disposed in a fixed position relative to the subject's head. The method can further include generating feedback data by comparing the tracked movement of the subject against the predetermined direction and amount of the first predetermined movement. The method can further include generating a feedback image using the feedback data. Other embodiments are included herein.

A security system includes a massage machine, and an external terminal capable of communicating with the massage machine via a communication network. The massage machine includes a massager that performs massage on a user, a controller that controls the massager, a first detector that detects a motion of a human body or an object and produces first detection data, a storage that stores the first detection data, and a telecommunicator that connects the controller to the communication network. The controller includes an abnormality determinator that determines presence or absence of an abnormality relating to the first detection data in the storage, and an abnormality notifier that notifies the telecommunicator of the abnormality when the abnormality determinator determines that an abnormality is present.

Disclosed is a method of identifying a parameter of a characteristic of a muscle, and walking assistance apparatuses and method based on the method. The method of identifying a parameter of a characteristic of a muscle includes estimating a first torque of a joint based on an electromyogram (EMG) signal, estimating a second torque of the joint based on motion data, and identifying a parameter of a characteristic of a muscle associated with the joint based on the first torque and the second torque.

A gait disorder support apparatus and gait disorder support method capable of detecting an onset sign of a gait disorder associated with motor symptoms in advance and performing motion assist are proposed. The onset sign of the gait disorder associated with the motor symptoms of a wearer is detected based on the correlation between a gait cycle and a reduction ratio of the gait cycle as compared to immediately preceding gait; and when the onset sign of the gait disorder is detected, a drive unit is controlled so that the drive unit applies assist power to a knee joint of the wearer; and on the other hand, when the onset sign of the gait disorder is not detected, the drive unit is controlled so that driving torque by the drive unit does not hinder the wearer's gait motion.

A communication robot for operating a massage providing apparatus by executing an artificial intelligence algorithm (AI) and/or machine learning algorithm in a 5G environment connected for the Internet of things and a method for operating the communication robot are provided. The method for operating the communication robot may include acquiring a spoken utterance of a user positioned within a prescribed range from the massage providing apparatus, tracking a spoken utterance direction of the user from the spoken utterance of the user, orienting the communication robot towards the spoken utterance direction of the user, acquiring a voice command included in the spoken utterance in relation to operation of the massage providing apparatus, and operating the massage providing apparatus according to the voice command.

A massage providing apparatus operated by executing an artificial intelligence algorithm and/or machine learning algorithm in a 5G environment connected for the Interne of things and a method for controlling the massage providing apparatus. A method for controlling a massage providing apparatus which may include acquiring information related to image content from an image content playback device for playing back arbitrary image content, analyzing the information related to the image content, setting a massage mode according to a result of analyzing the information related to the image content, and controlling the massage providing apparatus to operate according to the set massage mode.