Customized Segmentation of Footwear based on Functional Biomechanical Variables

为合适的人找到合适的鞋子是一项重要的任务，因为拥有适合一个人的合适的鞋子被认为可以降低受伤的风险，增加舒适度，并改善性能。目前的鞋类制造商生产的最小型号的鞋被认为可以满足所有人的需求，但任何买过一双鞋的人都知道情况并非如此。在理想的世界里，我们应该能够根据一个人的需求定制他们的鞋子。事实上，就像裁缝可以定制西装一样，鞋类公司现在拥有定制鞋子的技术。例如，制造商可以利用3D打印来设计材料，并制造出适合个人的鞋子。虽然这项技术是可用的，但关于什么样的鞋子结构特征对个人来说是最佳的知识尚不清楚。此外，定制鞋需要从个人测量的基本变量是什么，这是未知的。定制鞋子的能力触手可及，但在如何有效利用3D打印等技术方面的知识空白，阻碍了这种令人兴奋的鞋类个性化成为现实。 穿上新鞋，每个人的站立和动作都会有所不同。我们团队可以使用先进的生物力学工具来确定这些差异。然而，也有一些个体的反应相似，例如，在跑步时。这些个体被称为“官能团”。这项研究的第一部分将确定这些功能组的关键特征(例如，脚的形状，跑步所需的总能量成本)。这些功能组别可能会有不同的鞋类要求。在本研究计划的第二部分，我们将用主观和客观的方法确定最适合这些功能群体的鞋子结构特征。最后，我们将确定为个人定制鞋类的基础流程。 基于定义功能组所需的重要变量，我们稍后将探索在零售店中可以使用哪些简单测试来定义功能组。这些测试将允许零售店将人们分组，并为他们提供相应的合适的鞋类。 加拿大人民将从这项研究计划中获得显著的好处。鞋类是我们社会不可或缺的一部分。我们穿着不同的鞋子，无论我们是在工作，参加运动，还是外出跑腿。为合适的人选择合适的鞋子，对于预防受伤、在运动中表现得更好，或者仅仅是为了改善日常舒适性，都是至关重要的。来自我们研究的知识将告诉制造商如何为跑步和长期的其他运动或休闲活动定制鞋子。一旦鞋企掌握了这方面的知识，将加快将鞋类的大规模定制带给公众的进程。

Finding the right shoe for the right person is an important task because having the correct footwear for a person is thought to lead to reduced risk of injury, increased comfort, and improved performance. Current shoe manufacturers produce minimal models of footwear that are thought to meet the requirements of the entire population, but anyone who has ever bought a pair of shoes knows this is not the case. In an ideal world, we would be able to customize a person’s footwear to their needs. In fact, just as a tailor can customize a suit, footwear companies now have the technology to customize shoes. For example, manufacturers can leverage the use of 3D printing to design material and construct a shoe that is perfect for an individual. Although the technology is available, the knowledge of what shoe construction features are optimal for an individual are not known. Further, it is unknown what essential variables measured from an individual are needed for customized shoes. The ability to customize footwear is at our fingertips, but the void in knowledge of how to effectively use technologies, such as 3D printing, is preventing this exciting individualization of footwear from becoming a reality. In a new shoe, each person will stand and move differently. Our group can use advanced biomechanical tools to determine these differences. However, there are groups of individuals that respond similarly, for example, while running. These groups of individuals are named “functional groups”. The first part of this research will determine the key characteristics of these functional groups (e.g. shape of a foot, total energy cost needed to run). These functional groups will likely have different footwear requirements. In the second part of this research program, we will determine the shoe construction features that are the best for these functional groups using subjective and objective methods. Lastly, we will determine the processes that underlie footwear customization for an individual. Based on the important variables needed to define functional groups, we will later explore which simple tests can be used in retail stores to define functional groups. These tests will allow retail stores to group people into functional groups and to provide them with the corresponding proper footwear. The people of Canada will reap remarkable benefits from this research program. Footwear is an essential part of our society. We wear different shoes whether we are at work, playing a sport, or out running errands. Having the right shoe for the right person is critical for the prevention of injuries, performing better at a sport, or simply improving your day to day comfort. The knowledge from our research will inform manufacturers of how to customize shoes for running and in the long term, for other sport or leisure activities. Once shoe companies have this knowledge, the process of bringing mass customization of footwear to the public will be expedited.