Researchers have developed a heel-less running shoe that improves posture, walking and running perfor-mances. The patented technology, a shock-absorbing sole plate which replaces the heel, was made possible via EU funding which targets SMEs.
The HEELLESS project behind the shoe brought together five research partners from Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. The research consortium received EUR 1.02m in grant funding under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) 'Research for the Benefit of SMEs' theme, which aims to strengthen the innovation capacity of European SMEs and their contribution to the development of new technology-based products and markets. The funding enabled the consortium to carry out activities spread over two years on polymer material development, shoe prototype development, kinematic and biomechanical analyses, evaluations and test trials, as well as the dissemination, technology transfer and exploitation of results.
'Research for the Benefit of SMEs' is aimed at those SMEs which have little or no research capability to turn innovative ideas into products and services with clear future market potential. Demonstration activities are funding packages designed to bridge the gap between research and the market. They do this by aiming to prove the viability of a new solution that offers a potential economic advantage but which cannot be commercialised directly as further technological or other developments are required.
Demonstration projects must be centred on the needs of SMEs to carry out demonstration activities before being able to enter the market. Such activities include: testing prototypes; scale-up studies; performance verification and implementation of new technological and non-technological solutions; detailed market studies; and business plans. A demonstration activity should show a clear route to exploitation and commercialisation and there are minimum conditions for participating in a demonstration activity. The contribution for demonstration activities is up to 50% of the total eligible costs and 100% for management and other activities.' The indicative budget for 2012 is EUR 20m, with the overall budget of a project normally ranging from EUR 500,000 to EUR 3m. The typical duration is 18 to 24 months.
The next call for a demonstration activity is
July 2012.
Further Information
The HEELLESS Running ShoeResearch for the Benefit of SME'sFP7 Demonstration ActivityEnterprise Europe Network Wales