RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article T1 ML-Driven User Activity-Based GNSS Activation for Power Optimization in Resource-Constrained Environments A1 Paddy Junior, Asiimwe A1 Enrique Díez, Luis A1 Bahillo Martínez, Alfonso A1 Steven Eyobu, Odongo A1 Bahillo, Alfonso K1 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) activation K1 inertial sensors K1 localization K1 machine learning K1 positioning K1 power optimization K1 resource-constrained environment K1 tracking K1 user activity AB The aging population represents an increasing burden on healthcare systems, which is shifting policies from institutionalization to aging in the community. Remote monitoring offers efficient solutions that bridge the gaps between healthcare and where elderly people really want to live every day. However, the adoption of such systems remains low, especially in resource-constrained environments like underdeveloped regions and rural areas, due to the lack of resources often taken for granted in system design. Location is one of the main types of information to monitor, as it provides information about behavior and physical activity. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is the de facto technology, and although its high-power consumption aligns poorly with battery-powered devices, it is still the best choice for accurate and reliable remote localization of pedestrians. Deciding when to turn on/off the GNSS receiver based on context is a key strategy for power optimization, the two main types of contexts being the user’s position and activity. However, existing methods in the literature are not suitable for resource-constrained environments because they require the installation of beacons, which entail additional cost and power consumption, or assume the availability of external signals that are not met in such environments, or are based on simple user activity detection. This work proposes a new GNSS activation method based on detecting the specific walking activity for changing locations. In resource-constrained rural environments, people typically spend most of their time outdoors near their houses, where it is not necessary to activate the GNSS so frequently to monitor them. Restricting the GNSS activation to the moments in which they are moving to a different location could be enough and would reduce the power consumption. Four machine learning (ML) classification models [long short-term memory (LSTM), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF)] have been implemented and evaluated using a smartwatch’s inertial sensor data. The best model, XGBoost, was exported to a custom-designed embedded system and evaluated in real-world tests. It demonstrated over 40% power savings compared to conventional motion-based methods. PB IEEE SN 0018-9456 YR 2025 FD 2025 LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/80134 UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/80134 LA eng NO IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2025, vol. 74, n. 9531220, pp. 1-20. NO Producción Científica DS UVaDOC RD 28-nov-2025