Ahmedabad: Researchers at IIT Gandhinagar (IIT-Gn) have developed a wearable patch equipped with a sensor to track micro-movements in gym-goers and athletes , helping them optimise their performance. According to the research team, the prototype is currently at Technology Readiness Level 5, and a patent application is underway.




“An experienced coach can often spot subtle differences in repetitions. However, in a crowded gym or training center, monitoring every individual’s performance is challenging,” explained Dr Biswajit Saha , associate professor in the department of chemical engineering at IIT-Gn.




Dr Saha’s research group at the Smart Materials Laboratory created the patch, which is now undergoing trials with gym-goers and athletes during real training sessions. The team is actively seeking industry and government partners to advance the technology further.




Placed on specific areas of the body, the patches detect electrical changes generated by movement. They operate on the principle of piezoresistive sensing , where mechanical deformation leads to changes in electrical resistance. As the body moves, the patch flexes with the skin and underlying tissue, altering the sensor’s electrical response and producing a measurable signal.




The research team also includes Kosha Vaishnav and Dr Ravi Prakash Verma .




The sensor’s analytical framework is capable of evaluating differences in movement signals, such as timing, strength, and consistency. “Our system is designed to complement traditional coaching by providing quantitative insights into movement patterns that are often hard to consistently assess through observation alone,” said Dr Verma.