Technology
So what's driving the whole thing?
How it works
Each customer will receive a Grow-It-Yourself (GIY) MyHeel kit containing everything they need to grow their own MyHeel smart insoles at home. The kit contains: a laser-cut cardboard model that can be assembled to form the basis of the grown structure, mycelium spawn and materials for growing, pressure sensors, a custom nRF52840 Feather microprocessing system to be worn on the user’s shoe, and step-by-step instructions detailing how the user can grow the MyHeel insoles at home.
How to grow and use your ‘MyHeel’ insole:
1. |
Place the layers of cardboard templates together with a tap to build a mold for the insole to grow. |
2. |
Put the gloves provided on and sanitise the gloves to minimise human contamination. |
3. |
Cover the mold in glad wrap and sterilise with sanitiser. |
4. |
Add the mix packet content into the mold and compress using the palm of your hand. |
5. |
Place a final layer of glad wrap over the insole and mold then place in a cool dark area and your insole will be fully grown in a week. |
6. |
Place the pressure sensors on top of the insole in the designated spots detailed on the instruction manual. |
7. |
Download the ‘MyHeel’ app on the App Store or Google Play. |
8. |
Connect to the shoe microcontroller. |
9. |
Place the insole into your desired shoe and connect the microcontroller to the laces. |
10. |
Continue with your everyday activity. The insole sensors and microcontroller will send feedback that can be accessed via your ‘MyHeel’ app. |
The MyHeel kit itself is designed with mycelium-grown packaging, thereby providing a sustainable solution within the healthcare industry. This design encourages users to recycle the technology, compost the old insole and regrow a new one, which minimises their contribution to landfill and is more cost-effective for users.