Research & News

Scientific publications and company news from MinkTec.

Scientific Publications

Evaluating FlexTail: a wearable device for spinal posture tracking

Arwed Masch, Jonas Walkling, Luca Sander, Thomas M. Deserno

2026 DOI: 10.1515/bmt-2025-0369

This study evaluates the accuracy of FlexTail, a new wearable sensor that uses flexible strain-gauge electronics to track three-dimensional spinal posture in real-time. Benchmarking tests against 3D-printed templates showed that the device operates with high precision and very low positional error, making it a reliable and unobtrusive solution for continuous spinal monitoring.

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Human–robot collaboration in digital fabrication with concrete: quantifying productivity and psychophysiological strain of human workers

Sawicki et al.

Springer Nature 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s41693-025-00173-x

To quantify human effort in digital construction, this study compared worker responses and productivity during collaborative Shotcrete 3D Printing (SC3DP) versus traditional concrete casting. The results show that while SC3DP dramatically reduces physical strain and boosts productivity, it introduces high mental demands for operators, highlighting the need for better psychophysical assessments in Construction 5.0.

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Wearable Spine Tracker vs. Video-Based Pose Estimation

Walkling et al.

MDPI Sensors 2025 DOI: 10.3390/s25123806

A recent study compares the wearable spine tracker with video-based pose estimation for human activity detection. The research demonstrates the superior precision of sensor technology over camera-based solutions.

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Biomechanical Pilot Study on Scoliosis Treatment

Marx et al.

Thieme 2023 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1761303

Results of a biomechanical pilot study to determine the range of motion before and after dorsal corrective spondylodesis. The 3D real-time representation allows precise measurements of spinal mobility.

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Latest News

Fututure Zone ·

Back-Wearables: Per Vibration-Alert to a Better Posture

The latest Futurezone report on digital posture trainers highlights rectify as a precise everyday companion that tracks individual posture patterns in real-time and corrects them via a gentle vibration alarm. By combining gamified training incentives within the app and official support from health insurance providers, the system offers a holistic approach to maintaining long-term healthy back posture.

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Health & Care Management ·

Pro Care: More Appreciation Increases the Attractiveness of Nursing Care

The Pro Care nursing trade fair, themed "So that care has a future," brought together decision-makers from care and politics with industry, startups, and nursing professionals in Hannover. Concurrently, the congress "Caring for the Future," curated by the Federal Association of Private Providers of Social Services (bpa), took place.

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ProCare ·

ProCare | rectify - for a Pain-Free Back in Nursing Care

The rectify sensor shirt provides an analysis of posture and movement in everyday nursing care, correcting improper strain immediately via a vibration alarm. Through the accompanying app, the system uses gamification to motivate personalized training and visualizes progress. The goal is a measurable reduction in back pain and sick days, as well as a high well-being factor for the entire team.

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Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts ·

Bridging Science and Practice: MinkTec Joins the Data Science Breakfast

As part of the 'November of Science,' MinkTec was a guest at the Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts. At the Institute for Applied Data Science (Data|H), founder Benjamin Holmer demonstrated how the 'rectify' system doesn't just measure postural data, but makes it actionable. The presentation focused on using Data Science to build awareness for healthy movement patterns in nursing and to make preventive care measurable.

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Hospital IT Journal ·

Project PostureCare Kicks Off: Tackling Back Disorders in Healthcare

The Krankenhaus-IT Journal (Hospital IT Journal) reports on the kickoff of the 'PostureCare' transfer project. In collaboration with the University of Oldenburg and OFFIS, a digital training system for nursing staff is being developed. Using Mixed Reality and the 'rectify' sensor shirt, ergonomic movement patterns are trained to prevent back pain and musculoskeletal issues.

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Elderly Care ·

Speedsters Without the Speed Traps

The specialist magazine Altenpflege (Elderly Care) reports on the use of rectify in care facilities. The article shows how the sensor shirt supports caregivers in improving their posture during the stressful workday.

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