HYDERABAD: In less than eight years, since its inception, Hyderabad’s Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI), has managed to attain six patents for products designed by its students. Their unique selling points (USP): eco-friendly and useful for the differently abled.
The central government institution listed under the Institute of National Importance (INI) has also produced students who have won international awards for their work.
“We are now looking at commercialising the licensing rights to footwear companies. The student too will get a share of the royalty,” said senior faculty, Abdul Rahman.
Recycling lingerie
Sameeksha Ambolkar, from the 2018-22 batch won the France-Global Design Competition 2021 award for her uniquely designed shoe named ‘Rag 4 Run’ using sustainable materials such as recycled bras, sock liners made out of algae, insole masks and recycled foam.
For visually impaired
A third year Bachelor of Design (BDes) student Isha Sharma from Uttar Pradesh has come up with an ultrasonic sensing technology that will warn the visually impaired of obstacles ahead of them, while walking.
“Once the sensor detects the nearby obstacles, it makes an intuitive sound that would alert the person wearing the shoe,” Isha said.
Healing touch
Unnathy Vijaywargi from Hyderabad, another third-year design student has created a red-light therapy shoe that can treat foot pain and skin issues.
“The shoe contains red lights which is an emerging treatment for skin issues like acne, rashes, scars and other signs of ageing. We even tested with one of the professors who had a chronic foot pain and found the shoes soothing,” Vijaywargi told TOI.
Solar-powered shoes
Three students from the third year - Hemani Tewari along with her classmates Liyana and Simriti Nair – made sandals using photochromic pigments and lights powered by solar panels. These sandals can change colour when exposed to sunlight and revert back when returning indoors.
Start a Conversation
Post comment