CPI Helps Running Entrepreneur Take Big Step Forward
13 Nov 2018
The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) has supported an entrepreneur’s vision to help runners find the most appropriate type of footwear.
CPI worked with Craig Downs on mymo, a wearable sock using artificial intelligence to gauge an athlete’s gait.
By embedding electronics into the sock, Mr Downs’ company, Shoes2Run, can measure how feet perform during a short walk, jog or run.
Data gathered from the product is then sent to a smartphone app, via the Internet of Things, with the information used to direct athletes to the most suitable footwear on the market, minimising their risk of injury.
It can also be shared with physios and podiatrists to monitor injuries.
![Mymo uses artificial intelligence to gauge an athlete’s gait, measuring how feet perform during a short walk, jog or run Mymo uses artificial intelligence to gauge an athlete’s gait, measuring how feet perform during a short walk, jog or run](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/runners.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216283&s=ddfdf54dfcd50cfd6235632ef56d8fe1 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/runners.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216283&s=a1fab6b2bd3dc9898093a4587a2a9c8f 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/runners.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216283&s=5199e0d23ab1b65ec91bd7f53c325c4f 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/runners.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216283&s=8379f449e97bb655c672febf4d428906 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/runners.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216283&s=4087bf816eb64f0660d0d8ff2cb13cc3 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/runners.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216283&s=51f2b3d6072258572ea9639922a1a167 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/runners.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559216283&s=01a6a1d46e73bdeac564d860011d085e 960w)
CPI supported Mr Downs by designing and implementing electronics to log sensor measurements and wireless integration into a smartphone app and offline tool for algorithm development.
The project builds on CPI’s strong track record in artificial intelligence through printed electronics, and represents another example of its work across the Internet of Things, which connects devices via the web and allows them to send and receive data.
CPI is known for creating rolls of thin, flexible inlays containing multiple electronic components that can be converted into labels or embedded into smart products, such as pharmaceutical packaging capable of monitoring a drug’s condition, from a site at NETPark, Sedgefield, and a sister base at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, which opened earlier this year.
However, Gillian Kears-Fricker, Business Development Manager at CPI, said the work on mymo highlights further the organisation’s expertise in printed electronics.
She said: “This is exactly the type of project our Newton Aycliffe facility is geared towards.
“We were delighted to support Craig in the development of mymo and will continue working with Shoes2Run on any further developments.”
![Mr Downs is pictured with a wearable sock that uses artificial intelligence to monitor a runner’s gait before sending the information to a smartphone Mr Downs is pictured with a wearable sock that uses artificial intelligence to monitor a runner’s gait before sending the information to a smartphone](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/cpi-mymo.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223272&s=c82f0878c70a69257cb7c1aa95c513f1 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/cpi-mymo.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223272&s=3776efdeae8a600a4baacbc1c7bc9763 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/cpi-mymo.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223272&s=5d388e95a7d7ef74ac8522b3ae3644a7 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/cpi-mymo.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223272&s=91394b8e8ae5ea06cc57efe698a4a46c 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/cpi-mymo.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223272&s=fe332b0aba645acbaeb60774813d53d4 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/cpi-mymo.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223272&s=aa2908e4376ae25333ce6ae8ab13fcb1 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/cpi-mymo.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223272&s=71fde71e018ddea24bba332486d78848 960w)
Mr Downs, whose company is based in Washington, Wearside, received further support from the North-East Business and Innovation Centre’s (BIC) SME Innovation Programme, with Northumbria University working on an artificial intelligence algorithm for his product.
He said: “After suffering an injury by wearing inappropriate shoes, I wanted to make sure other runners didn’t experience the same problem.
“By collaborating with CPI, the BIC and various other organisations, we have created this patent-pending innovation, knowing no other company is currently providing unbiased footwear recommendations via this kind of technology.”
Mr Downs hopes to launch his product in the new year.
The collaboration also included support from Creative Fuse North-East, the University of Sunderland, and RTC North.
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