WAEWAE TECH is an R&D university grown start-up.
It is common knowledge that footwear has a direct impact on our health in many ways[1,2,3]. Quality footwear is important to assure long-term health and prevent several injuries, such as spinal stress fractures[4], joint pains[5], ankle sprains, and many other related foot/leg injuries[5,6]. Currently, shoes are a passive tool, failing to respond to a user’s context, such as to provide optimal workout performance that could counteract potential arising health issues. We are researchers that try to understand properties of the foot and explore new ways on how emerging wearable technology can offer benefits. Our mission is to drive foot-related research and to share our gained knowledge.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Denys J.C. Matthies, Founder and CEO
I am the CEO of WAEWAE TECH LIMITED and an Associate Professor for Mobile Applications at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Lübeck. Education-wise, I am an engineering scientist specializing in pattern recognition, sensing, and prototyping with wearable technology. Since the past eight years, I conducted a great variety of research projects, particularly with significant focus on foot interfaces. One of my achievements includes the development of the patented method of ground surface detection.
These are the Collaborators
Dr. Samitha Elvitigala
...is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Augmented Human Lab at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, New Zealand. He explores novel wearable foot interfaces, such as insoles. His aim is to create smart footwear that understands physical conditions but also the user’s mental state, enabling assistive interventions to improve life style.
Dr. Kelly Sheerin
...is a Senior Lecturer, Manager of the Sports Performance Clinics located at AUT Millennium, and the President of the Auckland Branch of Sports Medicine New Zealand. In particular, Kelly is a sports scientist specializing in running injuries and biomechanics. His contribution lies in his valuable experience and important theoretical knowledge of human biomechanics.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stefan Seelecke
...is the Head of the intelligent Material Systems Lab - IMSL at the University of Saarland, Germany. Stefan provides know-how and research facilities in Germany. He supports the development of a series of high-fidelity wearable prototypes that has specific requirements, such as a high efficiency when being ready for use in field studies.
A summary of our Research Findings
User Authentication by Shoe-Print
The shoes' specific outer sole in combination with the distinct wear created by the user’s individual gait can be used for user authentication.
✎ Paper
Vibrotactile Feedback
Applying vibrotactile feedback at the foot can be used to convey minor-complex information, such as directional cues. This releases other interaction channels and showed to reduce stress.
✎ Paper
Thermal Feedback
Thermal feedback at the foot sole is barely perceivable as there is a natural adaption preventing the perception of temperature changes quickly.
✎ Paper