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Bristol Engineer Showcases 253-Sensor Insole to Spot Fall Risk

A bespoke microchip delivers real-time gait imaging, with formal trials planned before any low-cost production.

Overview

  • University of Bristol lecturer Dr Jiayang Li developed the prototype after noticing his 89-year-old mentor Peter Langlois becoming unsteady.
  • The insole embeds 253 sensors read simultaneously by a custom semiconductor to image foot pressure and assess balance in real time.
  • Data can be viewed on a phone or tablet, and the inventor says the microchip draws about 100 microwatts for roughly three months of use per charge.
  • The device is being presented to industry experts at an IEEE conference this week as the team seeks partners.
  • Researchers plan a formal clinical evaluation with larger, diverse cohorts, noting the shoe has not yet been validated in trials, and they aim for a low-cost, mass-producible design.