The sensing layer inside footwear.
Sense Edge records pressure, motion and environmental conditions across both feet reliably throughout the day.
Gen 1 proved our concept.
Four pressure zones in each insole produced usable readings, but the two data streams were measured separately.
External wires supplied power and carried the readings out for analysis on external systems where we developed our data models and algorithms.
Gen 2 adds timing and movement context.
The same four pressure zones in each insole now work alongside six-axis motion, temperature and humidity sensing.
The insoles are built around a 3D-printed structural carrier with a soft cushioning layer above the sensing surface. Rechargeable power supports approximately 13 hours of recording.
Recordings are timestamped locally and held in session storage during use. Wi-Fi activates after capture to transfer them to Sense OS, where data from the left and right insoles can be aligned during post-processing.
Gen 2 is a portable evaluation platform available for partner testing and validation.
Gen 3 will move more recording and processing onboard.
The target specification doubles plantar-pressure sensing to eight zones per insole and adds nine-axis motion sensing, real-time synchronization between the left and right insoles, Bluetooth Low Energy 4.2 and 512 MB of onboard store-and-forward storage.
A softer laminated construction is designed for comfortable all-day wear while isolating and protecting the embedded electronics. The target battery life exceeds 24 hours, supported by fast charging and an integrated battery fuel gauge.
On-device processing introduces signal conditioning, gait-event detection and feature extraction before data reaches Sense OS.
Gen 4 will extend sensing toward intervention.
The roadmap increases plantar-pressure sensing to 16 zones per insole alongside nine-axis motion, temperature and humidity sensing. A chemical and VOC sensing array is planned to study changes in the in-shoe microenvironment alongside those mechanical and environmental signals.
Bluetooth Low Energy 5.4, 2 GB of onboard storage and more capable edge processing support longer autonomous recording and adaptive sensor operation. The target battery life exceeds 36 hours, with fast charging and supplemental energy harvesting.
The architecture also introduces interfaces for expandable heart-rate and muscle-activity sensing and programmable haptic feedback. Synchronized muscle activity could give research teams additional context for when and why loading patterns change.
Personalized multi-material construction is planned around scan-derived geometry, including configurations intended for integration with individually designed orthopaedic insoles.
Four generations, compared.
The platform has progressed from a basic proof of concept to working portable hardware, with two planned generations ahead.
Swipe across to compare generations.
| Capability | Gen 1 | Gen 2 | Gen 3 | Gen 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure zones | 4 | 4 | 8 | 16 |
| Pressure range | 0-600 kPa | 0-800 kPa | 0-1,000 kPa | 0-1,000 kPa |
| Pressure calibration | Relative | Per-zone calibration | Factory + user zeroing | Multi-point individual calibration |
| Motion sensing | — | 6-axis | 9-axis | 9-axis |
| Left/right timing | Separate | Timestamped, aligned in post | Real-time synchronized | Real-time synchronized |
| Environmental sensing | — | Temperature, humidity | Temperature, humidity | Temperature, humidity, chemical/VOC |
| Battery life | — | ~13 hours | 24+ hours | 36+ hours |
| Construction | 3D printed | 3D printed, cushioned | Flexible laminated | Personalized multi-material |
| Fit options | — | Standard sizes | Multiple fit profiles | 3D scanned, orthopaedic option |
| Water and sweat protection | — | Splash/sweat resistant | IPX5 design target | IPX6 design target |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wi-Fi offload | Bluetooth LE 4.2 | Bluetooth LE 5.4 |
| Onboard storage | — | Session storage | 512 MB onboard | 2 GB onboard |
| Edge processing | — | Timestamping, basic filtering | Gait events, feature extraction | Adaptive processing, edge inference |
| Power and charging | External | Rechargeable | Fast charging | Fast charging, energy harvesting |
| Battery gauge | — | Basic | Fuel gauge | Fuel gauge |
| Biosensing | — | — | — | Expandable HR + EMG |
| Feedback | — | — | — | Haptic |