  We developed a novel assessment platform with untethered virtual reality,
3-dimensional sounds, and pressure sensing floor mat to help assess the walking
balance and negotiation of obstacles given diverse sensory load and/or
cognitive load. The platform provides an immersive 3D city-like scene with
anticipated/unanticipated virtual obstacles. Participants negotiate the
obstacles with perturbations of: auditory load by spatial audio, cognitive load
by a memory task, and visual flow by generated by avatars movements at various
amounts and speeds. A VR headset displays the scenes while providing real-time
position and orientation of the participant's head. A pressure-sensing walkway
senses foot pressure and visualizes it in a heatmap. The system helps to assess
walking balance via pressure dynamics per foot, success rate of crossing
obstacles, available response time as well as head kinematics in response to
obstacles and multitasking. Based on the assessment, specific balance training
and fall prevention program can be prescribed.
