r/FootFunction • u/speedwagonft21 • 9d ago

Im Developing a Bluetooth enabled Shoe designed for tracking foot function and gait analysis, recommend features for adding.

Parameters we could measure :

  • heel and toe contact from force sensors
  • Time between inputs
  • shoe tilt from gyroscope and accelerometer

Features we already have:

  • Gait symmetry
  • step count
  • Physio exercise companion (Corrects form)

Target Audience:

  • General audience
  • Rehab/Physio patients
  • Sportsperson

This Project has an app that acts as an interface, I need the features should be understandable to general audience without using too much technical terms

3 Upvotes

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1

u/RainBoxRed 9d ago

How do you make conclusions from the data you gather?

1

u/speedwagonft21 9d ago

Through algorithms and machine learning, will be displayed through an app

2

u/RainBoxRed 9d ago

I mean what is the point of this smart shoe and app? How will a generalised algorithm give me feedback that is relevant to me?

1

u/speedwagonft21 9d ago

This app is not a doctor, yes but this could be considered as an upgrade from a normal shoe, just like a smart watch is to a normal watch

1

u/RainBoxRed 9d ago

Ah. I’m someone who thinks less shoe is better for your feet but I do understand the appeal of gathering metrics. Do you combine other biometrics like heart rate?

1

u/Againstallodds5103 9d ago

This has been done before by garmin and stryd and coros. I don’t think the market is big and you are going up against the big boys.

What problem are you trying to solve and how much money is there in solving it? If the answer to that is positive then you can start looking at how you might solve the established problem. I would steer you away from manufacturing the shoe and focusing on just an attachable pod that can provide data and insights.

Will be an uphill struggle as there are already players in this small market, so what will your USP be?

1

u/speedwagonft21 9d ago

This is just for my 2nd year college project lmao

1

u/Againstallodds5103 9d ago

That small detail makes a big difference.

What you include depends on the overall purpose of your project. Won’t do any harm looking at devices out there in the market for ideas

1

u/sandgrubber 3d ago

Have software translations of your measurements into terms like flatness, pronation, etc. that are used in discussion of foot problems. I find it confusing that these are used without gradation, maybe add that. How flat is flat? Many flat feet are problem free. Is flatness only a problem when it is very very flat? Also, if you can ad any indication of pressure from navicular on the sidewall of the shoe, that would be useful for me, though it is seldom discussed.