In-Shoe Measurement of Incline and Step Counts

University of Utah Technology Commercialization Office
posted on 03/31/2011

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Invention Summary

A foot-worn-monitor and shoe-insert system developed by a University of Utah inventor allows for inexpensive and unobstructed data measurement as well as improved assessment of physical activity. Specifically, the new device and software application provide a measure of overall activity, step counts, stride time, and incline.

Features & Benefits

* Inexpensive ($100/each) compared to current motion-monitors for measuring physical activity ($400-500/each)

* Novel sensor technology allows for incline motion to be monitored as well as step count since sensors are place under each foot. For example, a runner can store his step count along with the incline of the path

Market Opportunity

Inactive lifestyles are a major issue for children as well as adults in the US. Lack of physical activity causes early onset diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses. These diseases have a negative effect on an individual¿s quality-of-life and lifespan.  One way to encourage people to be more active is to provide them with technology that enables them to easily track their exercise and exertion in their daily lives.  However, current motion-monitors are expensive and uncomfortable since they have to be worn around the waist. Another disadvantage of current motion-monitors is they do not accurately measure the amount of energy used in many activities such as jogging on an incline, or children climbing on a jungle gym.  In contrast, the newly developed shoe-insert provides real time unobstructed measurements of physical activity. Applications for this technology are broad and can be used by physicians, nurses, dieticians, physical therapists, teachers, sports enthusiasts, and all those interested in monitoring physical activity.

Intellectual Property

A US patent application 7,921,716 has been issued and US 20110178720 has been published.

Related Research:
http://mech.utah.edu/people/faculty/stacy-morris-bamberg-assistant-professor/