Research & science
MinkTec combines flexible sensor technology, robust data analysis, and applied health research to make three-dimensional spinal posture measurable in everyday settings. As a TU Braunschweig spin-off, we work with research and clinical partners to develop practical tools for biomechanics, ergonomics, and digital health.
Discuss a research project
Applied evidence
At TU Braunschweig, FlexTail delivered continuous data on spinal curvature, bending, and rotation during a study of robot-assisted 3D concrete printing. The study showed a 60% reduction in awkward back postures, 44% less manually handled weight, and nearly threefold productivity compared with traditional casting.
A peer-reviewed validation study by Masch et al. evaluated FlexTail against high-precision 3D-printed flexion, spine-shaped, and torsion models.
PostureCare develops an interactive mixed-reality training system for care practice that recognizes potentially harmful postures and provides feedback during simulated tasks. MinkTec contributes sensor-based posture measurement in collaboration with the University of Oldenburg and OFFIS, within the wider ZDIN Zukunftslabor Gesundheit context.
ErgoFee is developing a wearable, app-supported system to analyse physical demands in nursing and provide direct ergonomic feedback. MinkTec coordinates the project with DFKI and BeSu.Solutions; the team is testing how the system can fit everyday care settings.
Studies at the Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics used FlexTail to classify 22 activities of daily living with up to 98% accuracy. Compared with video-based pose estimation, the wearable sensor delivered more precise data for seated activities and transition movements without dependence on camera angles or line of sight.
A biomechanical pilot study at Asklepios Paulinen Clinic Wiesbaden measured three-dimensional spinal mobility in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis before and after corrective spinal fusion. FlexTail provided reproducible, real-time measurements for objective perioperative follow-up.
From sensor to insight
Start with a visual review, run a repeatable analysis, automate data preparation, or integrate FlexTail into a product. Each path uses the same measurements and can stand alone or work together.
Review recordings in a visual workspace, compare posture and movement sessions, and export the underlying data when a study needs a custom analysis path.
Go to demoBuild reproducible analysis around FlexTail recordings: load measurements and annotations, reconstruct sensor shape, calculate metrics, and bring the results into a data-science workflow.
Open the notebookCapture over Bluetooth Low Energy or USB serial, inspect sessions, calculate posture and movement statistics, and convert recordings to CSV, JSON, Arrow, Parquet, or RSF without writing an integration.
Embed FlexTail into your own application. The transport-neutral SDK handles setup, packet parsing, and live evaluation while your software keeps control of Bluetooth, serial, permissions, and user experience.
Detailed evaluation report
This document illustrates what FlexTail sensor data can be used for in the context of occupational and domestic ergonomics. Each chapter applies a different analytical framework to real recordings, demonstrating how continuous lumbar kinematics translate into actionable ergonomic insight.
Activity profiles, posture distributions, and bend analyses from real FlexTail recordings.
Read the detailed evaluation reportPeer-reviewed work
Using posture and movement data of everyday life over several weeks, we have recently found quantifiable hints correlating certain posture patterns with nonspecific back pain.
Our FlexTail is a foil-based, flexible sensor strip that allows directional measurement of bending. Combining multiple cleverly arranged strain sensors with a proprietary evaluation algorithm, FlexTail enables a real reconstruction of the strip shape. The sensor is fabricated in a way that allows very cost-effective mass production.
Explore our interactive visualization tools that allow you to analyze sensor data in real time. This box plot visualization helps you understand the distribution and patterns in your measurement data.
ExploreAlongside FlexLab Studio, our cross-platform application for recording and viewing data, flexlib provides Python access to the data collected by our sensors. Explore the notebook to see what you can do.
View notebook
