Case Study: Measuring Comfort - How Tactile Sensing is Redefining Footwear Production

When footwear testing specialist Heeluxe set out to change how shoe-fit is measured - the goal was not just an incremental improvement, but a fundamental shift towards quantifiable comfort. To achieve this, it partnered with tactile sensing specialist PPS, whose high-precision sensor systems offered a way to capture the physical realities of fit more accurately than traditional approaches.

Tester variability, limited throughput and inconsistent data capture can result in significant differences between products, even within the same size category. For manufacturers operating across multiple regions and supply chains, this lack of consistency introduces risk - in terms of reduced consumer satisfaction, damage to the brand, increased product returns, etc.

To address this challenge, Heeluxe developed a system capable of translating human fit perception into objective, repeatable data. A collaboration undertaken with PPS led to the development of SmartLast - an automated measurement system designed to replicate how shoes feel to human feet while delivering consistent results at production speed. By combining standardised foot last with advanced tactile sensing technology, a scalable and precise testing solution could be realised.

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