www.3ders.org

Jul 6, 2017 | By Tess

Wiivv Wearables Inc., the company behind the hugely successful 3D printed Wiivv insoles and (more recently) sandals, has launched an Employee Wellness program that seeks to improve comfort and conditions for workers who are are on their feet for long hours.

The company, based out of Vancouver and San Diego, recently completed a pilot program for the Employee Wellness initiative with Vancouver’s North Shore Rescue (NSR) team, a nonprofit made up of about 40 volunteers who face treacherous and challenging conditions for wilderness rescue missions.

The organization’s volunteers, who often work in close collaboration with the police, fire services, RCMP, and other emergency services, are often on their feet for long periods of time, sometimes even days. After all, they do not rest until a mission is complete.

To help them in their efforts, and as part of its own Kickstarter commitments, Wiivv Wearables recently donated 40 pairs of its 3D printed Custom Fit Insoles to NSR volunteers. The innovative insoles, which are made using the Wiivv customization app and 3D printing technologies, are designed to support the wearer’s unique biomechanics, “from the foot up the kinetic chain to the lower back.”

For people who are on their feet for long hours, you’ll know how hindering foot and back pain can become. Wiivv’s goal is therefore to offer a comfortable solution: insoles which help to relieve foot pain, fatigue, joint pains, and plantar fasciitis. Better foot support, it says, will make people more productive.

North Shore Rescue team

(Image: North Shore Rescue)

As one NSR Training Officer, Scott Campbell, put it: “On an average call, we can spend anywhere from one hour to three days on our feet. We are constantly on the go in some of the toughest conditions, including ice-covered rocks, wet and muddy slopes, and hanging from helicopters on a longline. We stay on the job until it's done, which means we rely on our feet to keep us going the entire time. We don't have time to feel pain. We are constantly looking for a solution, and Wiivv gives us that solution."

Since receiving his own custom pair of 3D printed Wiivv insoles, Campbell says he has noticed a difference in his overall foot comfort while on the job. “We wear the best quality boots while we're on a call. However, since we are working in such extreme conditions, it really takes a toll on our bodies. Wiivv Insoles really help cushion our feet from the constant pounding they take. Personally, I've noticed that my knees don't hurt as much and my lower back pain from a reoccurring injury is starting to subside," he said.

With the success of its NSR pilot program, Wiivv is now launching its Employee Wellness program across North America, offering workers in the healthcare, hospitality, first responder, and other physically demanding industries (for feet) access to its bespoke 3D printed insoles. Through partnerships with various companies and organizations, Wiivv is aiming to improve standing and walking conditions for employees all over the continent.

Shamil Hargovan, Wiivv's CEO and co-founder, commented: "We're committed to supporting first responders and other workers—from baristas and construction workers to doctors and nurses—who have to perform in environments where the they're on their feet all day and the demands on their bodies and health are high. We're thrilled with the positive feedback we receive from employers and workers about how Wiivvs help improve their day-to-day performance while reducing injuries and time off due to pain."

Wiivv's custom 3D printed sandals

Wiivv Wearables, which holds the Kickstarter record for most funded 3D printed product for its 3D printed Custom Fit Sandal, has taken huge strides since its founding in 2014. Earlier this year, the company successfully raised $4 million in investments and acquired eSoles, a customizable footbed company.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

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