Breakthrough wearable technology may change the way we monitor health through daily exercise. Researchers have developed a wireless, automated smart insole system that captures detailed information about people walking, standing and moving throughout the day.
The Innovation System details the April 16, 2025 “Science Advances”, which uses 22 pressure sensors embedded in flexible insoles to create a comprehensive foot pressure map in various activities. This data is then wirelessly transferred to the smartphone application for real-time analysis.
“Our bodies carry a lot of useful information that we don’t even know,” said Jinghua Li, co-author of the study and assistant professor of materials science and engineering at Ohio State University. “These states also change over time, so our goal is to extract and decode these signals using electronic devices to encourage better self-medical examinations.”
Setting the system different from previous attempts is its excellent durability and accuracy. The pressure sensors designed by the researchers maintain their accuracy even after 180,000 compression and release cycles, the same as months of regular use. The system also enables excellent linearity in measurements over a wide range of pressures, ensuring reliable data collection.
Perhaps the most impressive thing is the ability to automate. Small, flexible perovskite solar cells are mounted on top of the user’s shoe to harvest energy from ambient light. This energy is stored in a lithium battery integrated in the insole area where the pressure is usually small, making the system completely wireless and wirelessly maintained.
Smart insoles can distinguish eight different states of movement, including sitting, standing, walking, running and climbing stairs. By combining machine learning algorithms, the system recognizes these movements with extraordinary precision, opening up possibilities for personalized health insights.
Medical applications are particularly promising. The system can help detect early signs of a variety of diseases, including diabetic foot ulcers, plantar fasciitis, and even neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. For patients who have been diagnosed with these diseases, the insole can monitor progress and improve treatment outcomes.
“The interface is flexible and fairly thin, so it can remain functional even during repeated deformations,” Li explained. “The combination of software and hardware means it’s less limited.”
Detailed stress analysis reveals fascinating differences in how we move. During the walk, the pressure is transferred from the heels to the toes in sequence, and the contact time accounts for about half of each step. However, during operation, almost all sensors register pressure at the same time and the contact time is reduced to a quarter of each stride.
The researchers expect the technology will be commercially available within three to five years. Future developments will focus on improving gesture recognition capabilities and testing systems with more diverse populations.
For millions of Americans experiencing outpatient difficulties, this unstriking technique provides promising tools for early detection, preventive care and rehabilitation monitoring, all while performing normal daily activities.
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