Timber is widely used in new structures. The leading causes of structural failure are sited at bolt connections, cavities, and knots. This paper introduces a simple method to detect bolts in wood using a UHF Scalar Network Analyzer (SNA). The electronics placed inside an aluminum box with a slot aperture transmit a microwave signal through the slot, and the near-field signal determines the reflection coefficient (S₁₁). Major changes from baseline are an accurate method to detect cavities and bolts inside the wood. Experiments were conducted on pinewood beams with cross-section dimensions of (70 mm × 70 mm). The scalar network analyzer circuit can detect bolts and cavities within a 30 mm range from the wood surface. The technique can be used for timber beam preparation in an automated sawmill at speed.

This research utilizes a self-developed inertial sensor in conjunction with a motion tracking system and four Smart Bands to record a runner’s movements and extract parameters such as step numbers, length, and frequencies at different running speeds. The data obtained were processed to find the number of steps taken. These steps were also recorded by an IMU (inertial measurement unit) and motion tracking system (MoCap—Motion Capturing) and used to compare the different systems and find their agreement at different running speeds. The results show a very strong correlation between the IMU and the motion tracking system with r² = 0.968 at 6 km/h, r² = 0.991 at 8 km/h, r² = 0.991 at 10 km/h, and r² = 0.996 at 12 km/h. The Xiaomi Mi Band 2 showed an r² = 0.861 at 6 km/h, r² = 0.985 at 8 km/h, r² = 0.977 at 10 km/h, and r² = 0.987 at 12 km/h and can therefore be considered a good replacement for an IMU.