Posture Saver

Inspiration Poor posture is a widespread issue, especially among students and people who spend long hours sitting at desks or using computers. Over time, this can lead to back pain, reduced mobility, and long-term musculoskeletal problems. We wanted to create a simple, affordable device that gives real-time feedback to help users correct their posture before it becomes a habit.

What it does Posture Saver is a wearable device that monitors the user’s upper back angle and detects slouching. When the user leans forward beyond a calibrated threshold, the device provides immediate feedback—such as a vibration or alert—reminding them to sit or stand upright. The goal is to build awareness and gradually train better posture habits.

How we built it We built Posture Saver using a microcontroller, paired with a motion sensor to measure back angle and orientation. The sensor data is continuously read and compared to a baseline “good posture” calibration.

When the angle exceeds a defined threshold, the microcontroller triggers a feedback mechanism, such as a vibration motor or buzzer. The components are mounted on a compact wearable setup, powered by a small battery, and positioned on the upper back for accurate readings.

Challenges we ran into One of the main challenges was accurately distinguishing between natural movement and actual poor posture. Small shifts in position could trigger false positives, so we had to fine-tune the threshold and filtering of sensor data.

Another challenge was making the device comfortable and wearable. Positioning the sensor correctly while keeping the device lightweight and unobtrusive required multiple design iterations.

Accomplishments that we're proud of We successfully created a working prototype that can detect slouching and provide real-time feedback. The system is responsive, relatively accurate, and built with low-cost components, making it accessible.

We’re also proud of integrating both hardware and software into a functional wearable device, which demonstrates practical application of engineering concepts.

What we learned We learned how to work with motion sensors and interpret real-time data from accelerometers/gyroscopes. We also gained experience in microcontroller programming, signal filtering, and hardware integration.

Additionally, we learned the importance of user-centered design—especially how comfort and usability are just as important as functionality in wearable technology.

What’s next for Posture Saver Future improvements could include adding Bluetooth connectivity to sync with a mobile app, allowing users to track posture over time. We could also refine the algorithm using better filtering or machine learning to improve accuracy.

Other potential upgrades include making the device smaller, improving battery life, and adding customizable feedback settings for different users.

Built With

• c++
• platformio