A walking gait detection apparatus includes a microphone for picking up
low-frequency-band sounds that are transmitted through the body of a
pedestrian while walking and an analyzer for performing analysis.
Accordingly, the gait of the pedestrian is detected. It is also possible
to distinguish the gait pattern on the basis of the stance-phase time of
a foot sole and the signal intensity, for example. The gait detection
apparatus can accurately estimate the stride length on the basis of a
detected gait cycle, the height of the pedestrian, and signals detected
during walking. On the basis of low-frequency sounds picked up by the
microphone while the pedestrian is walking, the pedestrian can be
identified.