Small changes in lifestyle lead to large improvements in fitness and health.

Daily weight gain results when energy intake is greater than energy expended.  Even a very small difference, for example 20 calories (kcal) per day, results in an approximate weight gain of two pounds per year.  To be effective, tools used to monitor energy expenditure must be very accurate, and capable of measuring small changes in daily physical activity.  The goal of PAI's Fit Companion, a small unobtrusive device that can be mounted in any shoe, is to measure energy expenditure to within 5% accuracy, and posture and weight within 1%. 

Mounted in regular shoes, the device includes a combination of inexpensive pressure sensors, an accelerometer and microelectronics, which wirelessly transmits date to a cell phone. 

• Recognize major postures and activities (sitting, walking, climbing stairs, cycling, etc.)
• Compute calories (kcal) and weight
• Provide real time feedback aimed at boosting metabolism ("you've been sitting for too long... let's take another 100 steps"

On a periodic basis, the user can 'synch' their cell phones to a PC, which transmits the collected information to web-based programs and specialists.  These specialists, who may be coaches or medical professionals, can then provide very specific advice to the users to fine tune their daily activity and nutritional programs.