Project Circleg is a low-cost prosthetic leg system designed for the needs and circumstances of amputees in less developed 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 it makes 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’s system is designed to work in a material cycle. This enables a lasting preservation of value of the Circleg prosthesis.

high functionality

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 Circleg prosthesis is designed to be fully modular in order to repair or exchange broken parts. In addition it also allows the individual colour design of the leg prosthesis and therefore the possibility for the users to express themselves through the Circleg.
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Problem

Why Project Circleg is needed

high demand

35 million people in the world need prostheses or orthoses.

World Health Organisation

The demand for low-cost leg prosthesis is high in many «less developed countries» (LDCs) and the existing prosthetic systems lack in terms of functionality, affordability and availability. Not beeing able to walk has a huge influence on physical, psycological, economical and social aspects. Many amputees are excluded from society and are not able to get a job and gain an income for their families.

Valuable Resource

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

Ellen McArthur Foundation: The New Plastics Economy

Such landfills are often found in less developed countries (LDCs), due to the lack of official recycling systems. As industrial designers we are driven by the notion of using plastic waste as a resource for meaningful products. Therefore the Circleg prosthesis is made of recycled polypropylene (PP) post-consumer plastic waste, which cuts the material costs down to 50%. It is reinforced with glass fibres to create a composite material that meets the high-performance requirements of a leg prosthesis.

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team

We are Fabian Engel and Simon Oschwald, the founders 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

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

  • What a great show! We’re in Dubai exhibiting Project Circleg at the @globalgradshow at @dubaidesignweek! #greatshow #niceweather #hothothot #projectcircleg #ggs2018 #dubaidesignweek2018 #staytuned
  • We’re ready for @globalgradshow at @dubaidesignweek! Looking forward to the coming week. #lookingforward #globalgradshow #dubaidesignweek #soon #projectcircleg #staytuned
  • The big moment! Representing Switzerland at the Falling Walls Lab final in Berlin. #fallingwalls18 #projectcircleg #socialdesign #impact #plasticwaste
  • Tomorrow is the day! The @falling_walls final in Berlin. Project Circleg is part of it and we feel honored to represent Switzerland and the Zurich University of the Arts (@zhdkcampus) in this exciting competition! Be also part of it and turn on the livestream tomorrow at 3.15pm. Link in bio! @falling_walls @zhdkcampus @industrialdesign_zhdk #fallingwalls #final #berlin #2018 #livestream #projectcircleg #affordable #prosthetics #followus
  • Ready to take off! We're heading to Berlin for representing Switzerland at the Falling Walls Lab Final. Fingers crossed! #projectcircleg #fallingwallslab #fallingwallsconference #socialdesign #zhdk #berlin
  • Next stop Dubai! Project Circleg is part of the Global Grad Show, an exhibition of innovation from the world’s leading design and technology schools. 150 projects have been selected worldwide and we are happy and honored to be part of them! The @globalgradshow is part of @dubaidesignweek and takes place from 12. - 17. November. Link in bio. #globalgradshow #dubaidesignweek #projectcircleg #exhibition #happytobepartof #honored
  • Filming for the swiss student sustainability challenge! The SSSC award ceremony will take place on November 21st. Keep your fingers crossed for us!🤞🏻 #filming #sssc #finalceremony #soon #projectcircleg #winner?
  • 5 legs and a great team! Thanks to Marco Rosasco (@marcorosasco) for this nice shot #projectcircleg #dreamteam #5legs #ontheway

supported by

«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