If you are an orthotic provider struggling with inconsistent insole quality and a shrinking pool of skilled technicians — this project developed an ICT-based modular system that combines standardized diagnosis with 39,744 possible insole configurations. It lets less experienced operators produce consistently accurate insoles, reducing error rates and customer complaints while serving more patients per day.
Automated Orthotic Insole System That Eliminates Guesswork from Foot Care
Imagine going to a shoe shop where a machine scans your feet and a computer instantly designs the perfect insole for you — no expert craftsman needed. That's basically what OrmoSys does for orthotic insoles. Right now, 2 out of 5 custom insoles are poorly made because the process depends too much on individual skill. OrmoSys uses standardized tests and algorithms to mix and match shapes and materials into over 39,000 insole combinations, so even less experienced staff can produce consistently good results.
What needed solving
200 million EU citizens suffer from foot pain caused by improperly formed feet, and this number is rising with aging populations and declining physical activity. Meanwhile, 2 out of 5 orthotic insoles are badly designed because current methods are static, ignore dynamic foot movement, and depend entirely on the individual skill of an increasingly scarce workforce of orthotics professionals.
What was built
OrmoSys built a complete ICT-based modular system for diagnosing foot problems and producing custom orthotic insoles. The system uses standardized tests and algorithms to generate 39,744 possible insole configurations from a limited set of shapes and materials. A demo deliverable confirms physical insole samples were produced.
Who needs this
Who can put this to work
If you are a sports footwear company looking to offer personalized insole fitting at scale — OrmoSys provides an algorithm-driven system that accounts for dynamic foot movement and pressure points, not just static measurements. With 39,744 insole type combinations, you can offer mass customization without needing a specialist at every retail location, targeting a share of the 18bn € orthotic insole market.
If you are a healthcare provider managing diabetic or elderly patients who suffer from foot deformities and related musculoskeletal problems — OrmoSys addresses the 200 million EU citizens affected by foot pain. The system's standardized diagnostic approach means your staff can prescribe properly fitted orthotic insoles without relying on scarce orthotics professionals, reducing the risk of complications from poorly designed supports.
Quick answers
What does the OrmoSys system cost and what is the pricing model?
Based on available project data, specific pricing is not disclosed. The project objective states the goal was to meet market requirements including 'acceptable price.' The system targets the comfort, sport, and medical orthotic insole segments within an 18bn € total addressable market.
Can this scale to industrial production volumes?
The system was designed for scalability from the start. By combining a limited number of standardized shapes and materials into 39,744 different insole types, OrmoSys enables consistent production without depending on individual expert skill. This modular approach is inherently more scalable than traditional bespoke insole manufacturing.
What is the IP and licensing situation?
The project was funded under SME Instrument Phase 2 with EUR 1,871,625 in EU funding, coordinated by a single German company (LANGMEIER FATMIR FETULA). Based on available project data, the IP would be held by the coordinating company. Licensing terms would need to be discussed directly with them.
What regulatory approvals are needed for medical orthotic insoles?
Medical orthotic insoles in the EU fall under the Medical Device Regulation (MDR). Based on available project data, OrmoSys targets comfort, sport, and medical segments — the medical segment would require CE marking under MDR. The project moved the prototype to production-readiness during its 2016-2018 timeline.
How long does it take to implement OrmoSys in an existing practice?
Based on available project data, the system was specifically designed so that 'unskilled operators with low experience' can produce quality insoles. This suggests relatively short training and onboarding times compared to traditional methods, though exact implementation timelines are not specified in the project data.
Does this integrate with existing diagnostic equipment?
OrmoSys is described as a complete system covering both diagnosis and treatment. It uses standardized tests and algorithms to recommend insole configurations. Based on available project data, it appears to be a standalone ICT system rather than an add-on to existing equipment, which means it replaces rather than supplements current diagnostic workflows.
Who built it
This is a single-company project run by LANGMEIER FATMIR FETULA, a German private company. The 100% industry composition with no university or research partners indicates this is a commercially-driven venture, not an academic exercise. The company received EUR 1,871,625 under the SME Instrument Phase 2, which the EU reserves for companies with a strong business plan and near-market innovation. The solo structure means all IP and decision-making sits with one entity, which simplifies licensing discussions but also means the technology's validation comes entirely from the company itself.
The coordinator is LANGMEIER FATMIR FETULA, a German company. Use Google AI Search to find contact details for the OrmoSys project lead.
Talk to the team behind this work.
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