XOSole

XOSole is the name of our instrumented, smart, insole. The XOsole is a Smartfoam powered insole that can measure 3D GRF at 97% accuracy when compared to force plates and instrumented treadmills. These Ground Reaction Forces can be used to provide valuable information outside the lab. We can study human performance during practice and on game day under emotional duress.

Human Performance

When connected to an appropriate app and smart device, our insole can measure and record caloric expenditure,  identify and retrain movement patterns that are detrimental to lower-extremity musculoskeletal health, and evaluate training activity that has been designed to improve athletic performance via the increase of vertical and/or horizontal GRF.

The XOsole is a tool that will shed new light on the mechanics of human movement, which provides a unique and remarkably revealing window into the human body. An accurate and precise description of human movement can provide invaluable information regarding a wide variety of issues; e.g., athletic ability, joint health, culture, and even mood. Unlike all other insoles, the XOSole can accurately and precisely measure specific characteristics of ground reaction force (GRF; 3D components and center of pressure).

XOnano has partnered with the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) and U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) to develop this insole. We also work with BYU Exercise Science.

USARIEM logo

USARIEM, ECBC, and XOnano are developing a prototype Smartfoam insole capable of detecting 3D Ground Reaction Forces (GRF) and an associated microcontroller for data storage and transmission. Soldier-worn networked sensors are useful in understanding load-induced biomechanical forces on, and devising strategies to prevent, non-battle musculoskeletal injuries to dismounted small unit Warfighters.

Smart Soldier

Such sensors must accurately communicate load data, be user-acceptable, and durable for extended time in a wide variety of operational environments.

ECBC Logo

USARIEM and ECBC are interested in quantifying and characterizing the forces and loads on Warfighters in varying operational and environmental scenarios.