Flexoskiboots

Flexoskiboots project

The Departments of Biomechanics and Physiology of the CAR have participated since October 2022 in the project to develop a disruptive ski boot: the FlexoSkiBoots project, financed through the support line for Innovative Business Groups (AEI) of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism (MICT).

This project, coordinated by INDESCAT, has included, in addition to the CAR, the companies Smartech Clúster, Pista Negra, Aparattum, Eurecat, Cactus IOT and the University of Granada.

FlexoSkiBoots provides innovative answers to two challenges posed in the use of the alpine ski boot: on the one hand its comfort, in the design of a boot that on the one hand ensures an important rigidity (Flex) and on the other side with a simple unlocking system, can facilitate a normalized ambulation. Secondly, it wants to sensorize the boot to use useful data to help improve the skiing technique of its users.

The boot is designed in three blocks:

• an exostructure that ensures its rigidity due to the control of the ski
• a comfortable, warm, waterproof and breathable boot that holds the foot and leg perfectly, with a comfortable fit
• a connection and disconnection system, to go from skiing to walking with complete ease

To arrive at the final design of the boot, 3D simulators have been used for the prototyping and optimization of this design, and comparative laboratory tests have been carried out with ski simulators and field tests, sensing the traditional boot and the FlexoSkiBoots, and testing both in controlled situations (speed and slope), and real on track.

The role of the CAR, led by the Biomechanics department, has been on the one hand to describe the biomechanical variables related to the forces and ranges of motion experienced in alpine skiing, in order to establish reference values for the new boot and define the wearable technology necessary for its digitization. On the other hand, the differential metabolic and biomechanical parameters between walking with a conventional ski boot and a mountain shoe have been analysed, to establish reference values to ensure a normalized gait with the new boot.