A new wearable tech designed to help runners find the right type of shoes has been launched.
mymo measures a runners’ gait and uses an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm to match their running style to the latest shoes on the market.
The idea was created by North East runner, Craig Downs, 45, who became increasingly frustrated after getting injured because he was sold the wrong type of shoes for his training.
He said: “I visited a local running store and spoke to a sales person but the shoes they recommended were not right and I ended up getting injured. While I was out injured, I thought there must a something on the market that you can buy personally which will help runners like me to find the right shoes, and there wasn’t.
“The running shoe market is extremely complex and confusing with manufacturers constantly bringing out new models and technologies.
“To buy the right type of shoes, you need to understand your running gait, but why do you have to go into a running store or clinic to do this? Not only is it inconvenient, particularly now during lockdown, but more people are shopping online so mymo is a personal solution to all of this.”
mymo is the latest in digital technology. It gives runners quick and instant access to real-time gait data and all the latest shoes suitable for their running style. It replaces traditional in-store gait assessments and runners can use it as many times as they like in the comfort of their own environment – at home, in the gym, at the park or down at the track.
The team at mymo, based at The Hub in Washington, Tyne & Wear, have collaborated with Northumbria University to develop and test the AI algorithm which Craig believes, gives customers confidence in buying the product.
The purpose of mymo is to guide runners to buying the correct type of shoes and is aimed at runners of all abilities.
Craig from Chester-le-Street, continued: “As part of our research and development, we tested mymo with over 400 runners. It is apparent that runners are frustrated with finding the right type of shoes and it can be an expensive process. The price of shoes are not cheap and if like me, you buy the wrong type of shoes, you could get injured. It is proven that wearing incorrect footwear can lead to an injury.
“In my case, it was all the ongoing costs of physio and then eventually, the cost of purchasing the correct type of shoes. I wanted to develop an innovative solution that not only helps runners, but is consistently accurate, independent and impartial – we are not commission-driven to push particular brands/shoes and customers are free to choose which shoes they want to buy and where to buy them from.”
The sensor measures a runners’ gait and recommends shoes based on their last gait test. The customer can then filter a database of suitable shoes by price, brand, model, fit, weight, colour and heel drop.
mymo customers can also benefit from accessing the wider mymo run ecosystem, a platform providing running-related advice and content including a virtual physio and sports therapist providing advice and guidance on running related injuries, strengthening exercises, core and strength workouts and a qualified coach providing personalised training plans to help customers achieve their desired goals and PB’s.
mymo is available to buy from www.mymo.co.uk
