###### Abstract
XSENSOR [20] provides a mattress cover with pressure mapping that incorporates a large number of capacitive sensors. The system consists of two parts: the sensing mattress cover, which can be placed under the hospital linen, and an LCD monitor mounted on the head of the bed that displays information on the contact pressures on the mattress. [PERSON] et al. [11] used the XSENSOR cover to prevent the onset of ulcers in hospitalized patients. A comparable capacitive technology was employed by [PERSON] et al. [12; 13] for movement and breathing monitoring. Similarly to the XSENSOR, the _SensorEdge_[21] and the BodyTrak [22] are commercial products made up of pressure-sensitive covers designed for preventing pressure ulcers in hospital settings. [PERSON] et al. [16] integrated a piezoelectric material into a multichannel pressure-sensing matrix that records the ballistocardiographic signal and breathing activity during sleep. [PERSON] et al. [14] developed a mattress that aimed to prevent ulcers and that incorporates a pressure detection system (the Kinotex). In this case, the sensors are made with optical technology. The pressure is transduced into a change in the optical properties of a polymeric foam material. The light coming from the sensor is detected by a photodiode, and the external force is calculated by measuring the intensity of illumination. The same technology was employed by [PERSON] et al. for sleep assessment [15]. Compared to the literature solutions described above, our pressure mapping layer is designed as a low-cost consumer product. We implemented a low-cost pressure mapping layer (in the order of a hundred euros) with a relatively low number of sensors (hundredsvs. thousands) which, thanks to the algorithms we developed, is able to detect posture, movement, and respiratory activity with satisfactory performance. We opted for the piezoresistive textile solution to build the pressure mapping layer as it is the simplest principle and less sensitive to external disturbances and with less complexity for the electronic circuit, as confirmed by a comparison of the existing technologies reported in [PERSON] et al. in [23]. Existing examples in the literature have a greater number of sensors by at least a factor of 10. One of the advantages of our solution is being able to function correctly with a reduced number of sensors, thus reducing the cost of both the sensitive part and the electronic system. The pressure mapping layer was obtained starting from a classic multilayer architecture to avoid rigid metal wires on the sensing areas. However, we modified the classic multilayer solution by cutting the piezoresistive fabric into strips. This expedient has several advantages compared to the previous solutions: (i) reducing the sensor crosstalk due to parasitic resistances typical of piezoresistive multilayers, (ii) saving piezoresistive material (in the order of 30% less), and (iii) still being compatible with textile manufacturing. In addition, with respect to the existing literature, we performed a robust validation and statistical analysis of the results obtained in posture/movement classification and in breathing rate extraction.