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.
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.

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.

team
We are Project Circleg! A motivated team of six people with diverse professional backgrounds from design to biomedical engineering, communication and NGO management. We all share the vision of creating an impact with our skills and 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.
Awards
Together we are better 2019
Winner of the Start Up Prize by DEZA and SECO
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
«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
