MSOLE: From a Master’s Thesis to a Smart Insole Prototype
"Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the major complications faced by people with diabetes. If they are not properly prevented or treated, they can lead to serious complications and, in severe cases, even lower-limb amputation. This challenge became the foundation of my Master’s thesis in Information Technology at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Under the supervision of Sakari Lukkarinen and Mikael Soini, I developed a prototype called MSOLE (Modular Smart Offloading Insole) as the main practical outcome of my Master’s thesis. The project focused on developing a smart insole for monitoring plantar foot pressure and supporting gait analysis, with the aim of reducing excessive pressure on the foot through an offloading approach and contributing to the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers.
MSOLE integrates pressure sensors and an inertial measurement unit (IMU), with its main components embedded directly into the insole. This allows the system to collect information about pressure distribution and movement while the user is walking. By combining these measurements, the prototype provides a foundation for monitoring foot loading and analysing gait-related parameters.
An important milestone in the development of MSOLE was presenting the prototype and the project results at the EAI MobiHealth conference in Crete, Greece, in 2026. The concept and the prototype were presented to researchers and other participants and were discussed from different perspectives. The project was challenged through questions and discussions, and I received valuable feedback and ideas that can help improve the design, functionality, and future development of the system.
The conference experience was an important part of the project. It provided an opportunity not only to present the results of the Master’s thesis, but also to receive feedback from the scientific community and consider new directions for the development of the prototype.
MSOLE has significant potential for further development as a smart insole platform. Future versions could improve the sensing and data-analysis capabilities and further develop the offloading concept to provide more personalised support for patients. The platform could also be expanded with more advanced gait analysis and intelligent data processing.
The further development of MSOLE could therefore be considered as a potential direction for future research at the doctoral level. A PhD project could build on the current prototype and investigate more advanced offloading mechanisms, gait analysis, intelligent data processing, and personalised solutions for preventing diabetic foot ulcers.
What started as a Master’s thesis has therefore grown into a prototype with potential for further research and development, opening a path toward more intelligent and personalised solutions for preventing diabetic foot ulcers."