An engineer has invented a high-tech shoe designed to help older people stay steady on their feet after seeing his 89-year-old mentor nearly lose his balance.
The prototype, created by Dr. Jiayang Li of the University of Bristol, uses advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to monitor how a person walks and warn of possible fall risks.
Dr. Li was inspired by his longtime mentor, Peter, who supported him throughout his Ph.D. and still carefully edits research papers despite his age.
Although Peter’s mind remains sharp, Dr. Li noticed he had become physically unsteady.
Concerned about the dangers of falls—especially for seniors living alone—he wondered if his expertise in microchip technology could offer a solution.
The result is a special shoe with a thin insole containing 253 tiny sensors. These sensors collect detailed information about the wearer’s movement, balance, and pressure on different parts of the foot.
The data is sent in real time to a phone, tablet, or other small device, allowing users or caregivers to see how safely the person is walking.
Falls are a major health risk for older adults and can lead to serious injuries, loss of independence, and long hospital stays. Doctors can analyze walking patterns in clinics, but such testing usually requires expensive equipment and cannot be done daily at home. Dr. Li wanted to create something portable and affordable that people could use in everyday life.
The shoe’s core technology is a tiny semiconductor chip that reads all the sensors at once. It can produce images showing how pressure is distributed across the foot and detect signs of imbalance, instability, or unusual movement.
The system also uses artificial intelligence to estimate how the legs and joints are moving, producing an overall fall-risk score. If the device detects problems, it could suggest exercises to improve balance or recommend seeing a doctor or physiotherapist.
Despite its advanced capabilities, the device is designed to be practical. It runs on very little power—about 100 microwatts—so a single charge could last up to three months. Because it uses a small battery, it could eventually connect to everyday devices such as smartphones or smartwatches.
The invention will soon be presented at a major international technology conference in San Francisco, where leading companies and researchers gather to showcase cutting-edge innovations. Dr. Li hopes the technology can eventually be mass-produced as an affordable product that improves safety and independence for older adults around the world.
He plans to conduct larger clinical trials to confirm how accurately the shoe predicts fall risk and to refine the system before bringing it to market. Experts say the project represents an important step toward using advanced sensing technology in everyday life.
For Dr. Li, the motivation remains personal. His goal is not only to protect his mentor but also to help millions of older people stay active and confident as they age. If successful, this smart shoe could turn a simple daily activity—walking—into a powerful tool for preventing injuries and saving lives.
