SELF-POWERED SENSOR INTEGRATED PLATFORM FOR AUTISM REHABILITATION

Abstract

This project transforms a simple balancing board into an interactive rehabilitation tool for children on the autism spectrum by integrating self-powered piezoelectric sensors. A stack consisting of a 1 mm-thick PVDF film, carbon-cloth electrodes bonded with silver paste, and a Kapton protective layer emerged as the optimal design, delivering clean, repeatable voltages up to 150 mV while resisting mechanical wear and triboelectric noise. Guided by the pressure points of the five-year-old feet, each footpad carries two sensors: one under the heel and one under the forefoot. They capture the load without complicating the wiring or signal conditioning. Coupled to an Arduino-based reader and simple electromagnetic shielding, the sensors provide a linear arduino output-to-force response that reveals weight shifts during the platform balancing. Tiptoe trials elevate the front-sensor output, heel-leaning lights up the rear pair, and controlled board tilts show a clear symmetric pattern: tilting right raises the left-foot load, and vice-versa. This project shows that the pressure distribution can be effectively captured using the designed device, laying the groundwork for real-time feedback and data-driven balance therapy. The platform now offers a robust, low-maintenance foundation for larger trials and for developing exercises to suit each child’s unique motor profile.