THE CHALLENGE
There is significant demand for a commercially viable, lightweight, and self-sustaining wearable solution toaddress both sensory and motor deficits in individuals with peripheral neuropathy and related lower-limb impairments. Current products on the market—ranging from rigid orthoses to powered exoskeletons and bulky compression pumps—are either too restrictive, electronically complex, or impractical for daily, long-term use. Many rely on external power sources, batteries, or pneumatic systems, making them costly, maintenance-heavy, and uncomfortable for users. This creates high demand, particularly among aging populations and individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes or multiple sclerosis, for an affordable, discreet, and energy-efficient assistive device that can restore foot sensation, promote active dorsiflexion, and support lymphatic flow—without compromising user mobility or requiring continuous charging or clinical supervision.
OUR SOLUTION
We offer a fully passive, human-powered soft-robotic system that uses a network of flexible pneumatic bladders and conduits to restore foot sensation and assist movement—without any electronics, batteries, or motors. Designed for seamless integration into shoe inserts, socks, or orthotics, the system captures pressure from specific foot regions and transfers it to the leg, where it provides real-time tactile feedback or motion support using the user’s own energy. By eliminating the need for power supplies, complex electronics, or bulky machinery, this low-maintenance, cost-effective solution fills a major gap in wearable assistive devices for conditions like peripheral neuropathy and drop-foot. Its customizable, lightweight design enables easy adoption across clinical and consumer settings, offering a scalable alternative to expensive and cumbersome technologies that often compromise user comfort and mobility.
Figure: Schematic of an example soft robotics system that includes at least one sensor, one stimulation bladder, and one conduit
Advantages:
Potential Application: