Project Circleg is an appropriate lower-limb prosthetic system designed for the needs of amputees in developing countries. By using recycled plastic waste in combination with simple production methods, the Circleg prosthesis can be produced locally and cost-effectively.
Our Vision

What makes it unique

Design

Project Circleg is design driven and therefore developed according to the needs and circumstances of the users.

Affordability

Project Circleg uses recycled plastic waste in combination with simple production methods in order to produce locally and cost-effective.

Sustainability

Project Circleg is based on the concept of circular economy and designed to work in a material cycle.

functionality & comfort

Adjustment

The adapters at foot and knee joint enable the individual adjustment to the user.

Swing-back-mechanism

A mechanism incorporated in the knee joint swings the leg forward while walking in order to prevent dangerous trip hazards.

Protection cap

The polycentric knee joint is equipped with a protection cap, which allows a kneeling position and protects the joint from dirt.

Ankle joint

The ankle joint allows a squatting position and therefore the use of a squat toilet.

Modularity & Customizability

The modular design ensures that the Circleg prosthetic system can be individually adapted to the user in terms of size and color. This allows expressing individual personalities through the Circleg prosthesis.
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Problem

Why Project Circleg is needed

high demand

35 to 40 million people globally require prosthetic and orthotic services.

World Health Organisation

The demand for affordable prosthetics is high in many developing countries, however, most of existing prosthetic systems lack in terms of functionality, affordability and availability. Not being able to walk has a huge influence on physical, psychological, economic and social aspects. Without access to prosthetics, many individuals in need are confined to their homes and live dependent, excluded lives.

Valuable Resource

72% of the worldwide yearly produced plastic packaging ends up in landfills or nature.

Ellen McArthur Foundation: The New Plastics Economy

Landfills are often found in developing countries, as they have no capacities, resources and laws to set up an official recycling system. By using locally available recycled plastic waste, Project Circleg simultaneously tackles an urgent environmental issue (plastic pollution) and raises awareness for the environment in developing countries. The use of recycled plastic waste furthermore reduces material costs by up to 50 percent and adds value to the economy by transforming waste into a tradable resource.

featured on

UBS
RedBulletin Innovator
Visual Atelier 8
CNN Money Switzerland
Material District
Dezeen
Springwise

team

We are Fabian Engel and Simon Oschwald, the co-founder of Project Circleg. As industrial designers we are driven by the notion to have an impact with our skills. We truly believe that Project Circleg gets better when it is discussed from various perspectives. So get in touch with us! We are keen to get to know your ideas and opinions.
Get in touch

Awards

Swiss Student Sustainability Challenge 2018
Winner of the SSSC 2018

Nomination for Progress Prize 2018
Top 10 at the Global Grad Show 2018 in Dubai

Falling Walls Lab Zurich 2018
Winner of the Falling Walls Lab Zurich 2018

James Dyson Award 2018
Switzerlands Winner of the James Dyson Award 2018

Award for Excellent Business Pitch
University of Zurich Innovators Camp 2018

Student Award 2018
Department Design at the Zurich University of the Arts

Young Researcher Award 2018
Institute for Design Research at the Zurich University of the Arts

  • Co-founder @fab_engel takes a longer coffee break in Ticino;) Also his first one since he started working on Project Circleg.⁣ Any recommendations for his trip?⠀ ⁣⠀ #projectcircleg #socialdesign #socialimpact ⁣#timeforinspiration ⠀
  • While drawing by hand unleashed our creativity, we trust a digital workflow for precision. ⁣ ⁣ #projectcircleg #socialdesign #socialimpact #development #progress #solidworks ⁣#cad #prototyping
  • He's already well known: As one of the founders of Project Circleg, @fab_engel focuses on the design of our prosthetics and maintains order in the growing team. Photo: Lucca Barbery ⠀ ⠀ #projectcircleg #socialimpact #socialdesign #allinblue
  • We value our sketches. 🙌⁣ For the development of the new prototype, sketches are an important tool to us. Bringing our ideas to paper! ⁣ #projectcircleg #socialdesign #socialimpact #handrendering #sketches #designprogress #behindthescenes #value
  • Meet Laura: She's got her masters in biomedical engineering and is responsible for product development and business strategy. Besides that, she loves doing yoga and travelling the world. Welcome to the team! Photo: Lucca Barbery #projectcircleg #socialimpact #socialdesign #newteammember #engineering #productdevelopment #allinred #welcome
  • Off time is important. That's why @simonoschwald takes his first vacation since the start of Project Circleg. Enjoy, Simon!⁣ ⁣ #projectcircleg #socialdesign #socialimpact #holidays #timeforinspiration #nature #freetime #goforit
  • We're working on a new prototype! And @lego is always a great choice for rapid prototyping.⁣ ⁣ #projectcircleg #socialdesign #socialimpact #lego
  • It's been almost a year since we started the journey with Project Circleg. A lot has changed, including our team. We have grown! In the following weeks we will introduce you to each and every team member. ⁣ ⁣ First up: meet Alex (@nullpflock). He joined the team in December and is responsible for communication and social media. As of today, you'll see his work: We created an entirely new look for our channels.⁣ ⁣ Photo: Lucca Barbery⁣ ⁣ #projectcircleg #socialdesign #socialimpact #startup #team

supported by

Wissenschaft.Bewegen Gebert Rüf Stiftung

«This project is directly touching the life of disabled people in Kenya. We really need it and we very much welcome you.»

Thadius Mogendi, Chairman of the Lake Naivasha Disability Environmental Group