About INNOFOOT

The general aim of the INNOFOOT project is to reduce production costs of orthopaedic footwear and foot orthotics of at least 20% with also the added value of improved and controllable medical quality of orthopaedic footwear and foot orthotics and therewith preserving the competitiveness of the trade.
This main objective will be realised by:

• Create innovate products and processes and enhance the degree of exploitation of these.
• Improving the innovation level and enhance the know-how base of orthopaedic shoe/insole making companies (98% SME's) in the treatment of foot disorders.
• To build critical mass at EU level by generating a common space through Europe for manufacturers, prescriptors and workshops in which procedures and methods are shared about the treatment of foot disorders.

From the general aim of the project described above, the following technological and scientific project objectives have been identified:

1. To develop new design criteria, procedures and techniques for shoe/insole treatment for some of the most disabled foot pathologies as diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, hemiplegia and degenerative problems.
2. Develop 2 new materials for active pressure-responding foot orthoses
3. To generate new functional procedures and criteria about the diagnosis of patients based on the measurements of plantar pressures and the analysis of movements, innovating the prescription and the evaluation of the shoe/foot orthotics treatment by using more sophisticated ICT techniques
4. To develop new cost effective production techniques for shoe/foot orthotics treatment based on customisation in shape and material properties.

These objectives will lead to a total cost reduction in the production chain of orthopaedic footwear of at least 20%.
The project has started on February 1, 2007, and has a duration of 36 months.