Image courtesy of University of Bristol.
A University of Bristol, England, engineer has developed a smart shoe insole with hundreds of tiny sensors that could help prevent falls among the elderly. Jiayang Li, PhD, a lecturer in electrical engineering, created the smart shoe insole prototype after noticing his mentor, who still edits research papers at age 89, was becoming unsteady on his feet. The insole contains 253 sensors that provide real-time gait analysis, generating pressure maps that can be displayed on a mobile device to assess balance and fall risk.
The technology uses an advanced microchip to simultaneously read all sensors while consuming just 100 microwatts of power, allowing it to run for about 3 months on a single charge. The concept builds on Li’s previous work with University College London developing advanced sensors for lung function monitoring. For the shoe insole, the team adapted similar techniques to create a mobile, accessible solution for everyday use. “Although this detailed analysis could be obtained in hospital, the challenge was to make the technology more mobile and accessible in everyday life,” Li said.
The team plans to conduct clinical evaluations with larger groups to validate fall risk prediction and refine the technology before exploring mass production.
