Bobsledders rely a lot on specialized equipment to perform well and stay safe during the Formula 1 of ice." Olympic bobsledding often gets called the "Formula 1 of ice." Tracks are more than 1.5 kilometers (nearly a mile) long, and athletes often race down them at speeds nearing 145 kilometers per hour (90 mph). Bobsledders--whether in teams of four, two, or sliding solo--are often subjected to gravitational forces in excess of 5g. At the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, they're using tech aimed at making each phase of the race, from initial push to technical driving to final braking, just a little bit more precise than in previous Games.

Offloading footwear helps prevent and treat diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) by lowering plantar pressure (PP), yet prescription decisions remain fragmented: feature selection varies, personalization is limited, and evaluation practices differ. We performed a narrative review of 45 studies (12 guidelines/protocols, 25 knowledge-based systems, 8 machine-learning applications) published to Aug 2025. We thematically analyzed knowledge type, decision logic, evaluation methods, and enabling technologies. Guidelines emphasize PP thresholds (<=200 kPa or >=25--30\% reduction) but rarely yield actionable, feature-level outputs. Knowledge-based systems use rule- and sensor-driven logic, integrating PP monitoring, adherence tracking, and usability testing. ML work introduces predictive, optimization, and generative models with high computational accuracy but limited explainability and clinical validation. Evaluation remains fragmented: protocols prioritize biomechanical tests; knowledge-based systems assess usability/adherence; ML studies focus on technical accuracy with weak linkage to long-term outcomes. From this synthesis we propose a five-part CDSS framework: (1) a minimum viable dataset; (2) a hybrid architecture combining rules, optimization, and explainable ML; (3) structured feature-level outputs; (4) continuous validation and evaluation; and (5) integration with clinical and telehealth workflows. This framework aims to enable scalable, patient-centered CDSSs for DFU care; prioritizing interoperable datasets, explainable models, and outcome-focused evaluation will be key to clinical adoption.

-- Musculoskeletal modeling and simulations enable the accurate description and analysis of the movement of biological systems with applications such as rehabilitation assessment, prosthesis, and exoskeleton design. However, the widespread usage of these techniques is limited by costly sensors, laboratory-based setups, computationally demanding processes, and the use of diverse software tools that often lack seamless integration. In this work, we address these limitations by proposing an integrated, real-time framework for musculoskeletal modeling and simulations that leverages OpenSimRT, the robotics operating system (ROS), and wearable sensors. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate that this framework can reasonably well describe inverse kinematics of both lower and upper body using either inertial measurement units or fiducial markers. Additionally, we show that it can effectively estimate inverse dynamics of the ankle joint and muscle activations of major lower limb muscles during daily activities, including walking, squatting and sit to stand, stand to sit when combined with pressure insoles. We believe this work lays the groundwork for further studies with more complex real-time and wearable sensor-based human movement analysis systems and holds potential to advance technologies in rehabilitation, robotics and exoskeleton designs. CCURA TE description of human movement includes a comprehensive analysis of different components of the human body involved in performing physical actions, such as body postures, joint kinematics and kinetics, and muscle forces. Such analysis is not only fundamental for understanding the biomechanics of movement but also critical for enabling a wide range of applications. A comprehensive movement analysis is typically performed in specialized laboratories and limited to a small number of accessible participants. This work was supported in part by the Swedish Research Council under Grant 2022-03268, Digital Futures Research Pair and WASP-WISE joint project (corresponding author: Ruoli Wang). Frederico Belmonte Klein, Zhaoyuan Wan and Ruoli Wang are with KTH MoveAbility, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Royal Institute of T echnology, SE-100 44 Stockholm Sweden (e-mail: frekle@kth.se;

With rapid advancements in exoskeleton hardware technologies, successful assessment and accurate control remain challenging. This study introduces a modular sensor-based system to enhance biomechanical evaluation and control in lower-limb exoskeletons, utilizing advanced sensor technologies and fuzzy logic. We aim to surpass the limitations of current biomechanical evaluation methods confined to laboratories and to address the high costs and complexity of exoskeleton control systems. The system integrates inertial measurement units, force-sensitive resistors, and load cells into instrumented crutches and 3D-printed insoles. These components function both independently and collectively to capture comprehensive biomechanical data, including the anteroposterior center of pressure and crutch ground reaction forces. This data is processed through a central unit using fuzzy logic algorithms for real-time gait phase estimation and exoskeleton control. Validation experiments with three participants, benchmarked against gold-standard motion capture and force plate technologies, demonstrate our system's capability for reliable gait phase detection and precise biomechanical measurements. By offering our designs open-source and integrating cost-effective technologies, this study advances wearable robotics and promotes broader innovation and adoption in exoskeleton research.

With the London Marathon coming up this weekend, many may be wondering if we will see a runner achieve a time under two hours. The world record for the fastest 26.2 mile (42.2 km) run is 2 hours, 1 minute and 9 seconds, as set by Eliud Kipchoge during the 2022 Berlin Marathon. He actually beat this time, and achieved the elusive sub-two hour milestone, three year's prior in a park in Vienna, Austria, but this was not recognised as a record. The London race would meet the record requirements if someone beat Kipchoge's time, and with technological advancements, we are closer than we have ever been. Here, MailOnline takes a look at some of the unusual technologies and inventions that may one day help an athlete finally reach the finish line in under two hours.

Sensorized insoles provide a tool to perform gait studies and health monitoring during daily life. These sensorized insoles need to be comfortable and lightweight to be accepted. Previous work has already demonstrated that sensorized insoles are possible and can estimate both ground reaction force and gait cycle. However, these are often assemblies of commercial components restricting design freedom and flexibility. Within this work, we investigate the feasibility of using four 3D-printed porous (foam-like) piezoresistive sensors embedded in a commercial insole. These sensors were evaluated using an instrumented treadmill as the golden standard. It was observed that the four sensors behaved in line with the expected change in pressure distribution during the gait cycle. In addition, Hammerstein-Wiener models were identified that were capable of estimating the vertical and mediolateral ground reaction forces (GRFs). Their NRMSE fits were on average 82% and 73%, respectively. Similarly, for the averaged gait cycle the R^2 values were 0.98 and 0.99 with normalized RMS errors overall below 6%. These values were comparable with other insoles based on commercial force sensing resistors but at a significantly lower cost (over four times cheaper). Thereby indicating that our 3D-printed sensors can be an interesting option for sensorized insoles. The advantage of 3D printing these sensors is that it allows for significantly more design freedom, reduces assembly, and is cheaper. However, further research is needed to exploit this design freedom for complex sensors, estimate the anteroposterior GRF, and fully 3D print the entire insole.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is known for showcasing some of the most peculiar technology in the world – and this year's event was no exception. CES 2023, which ran last week and wrapped on Sunday, became the first in-person, full capacity CES since 2020, due to the Covid pandemic. Here's a look at the most weird and wonderful devices revealed at the event, including BMW's colour changing car and a'smartwatch' that deliberately doesn't tell the time. Here's a look at the weird and wonderful devices showcased at CES 2023, including BMW's colour changing car and a'smartwatch' that deliberately doesn't tell the time CES is a technology trade show held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show is often used by some of the biggest names in the industry to announce new products, such as Samsung and Amazon.

Soldiers are increasingly reliant on electronic devices in battle and scientists believe they have found a way to keep them charged without the need of an outlet. The US Army is working with Robotic Research LLC to design sensor fitted insoles that would generate electricity each time the wearer takes a step. The technology would not only power technology, but also allows commanders to track their soldiers in GPS-denied environments. Robotic Research LLC, a leading provider of autonomy and robotic technologies, was recently awarded a $16.5 million contract from the US Army to develop the sensors using its technology called WarLoc. The insole technology was found in a patent out of the Army's C5ISR Center, which will create electricity through the wearer's footsteps.

Shapecrunch, which makes 3D printed custom insoles for people with problems such as flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and diabetic foot, aims to reinvent orthotics and prosthetics with its technology. The problem it solves: Using smart computer vision and machine learning algorithm, the company makes 3D printed custom insoles for consumers with foot problems. The idea of Shapecrunch was born around three years ago when one of the company's Co-founders, Nitin Gandhi, who suffers from a flat foot, had difficulties getting a pair of custom orthotics. "I went to the doctor and he told me to get a pair of custom orthotics. Then I went to a shop to get those made and was surprised to see the manual process. All the machines were imported and the orthotics that I finally got had to be replaced because they were uncomfortable. Then again I had to go there," Nitin recalls.