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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Challenge

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

deza
tdb*
UBS
RedBulletin Innovator
Visual Atelier 8
CNN Money Switzerland
Material District
Dezeen
Springwise
Circleg Team

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.
Get in touch

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

  • Prostheses today look rather boring - we want to bring a little more color into the game #projectcircleg #zhdk #industrialdesign #socialdesign #designforsocialimpact #affordable #prosthesis #leg #plasticwaste
  • King @simonoschwald found his throne in #Uganda #circleggoesuganda #projectcircleg #goteam
  • We‘re throwing around ideas, and it‘s a lot like playing ping pong: between experts, amputees and us, the ideas get altered, we get inspired and are able to see what exact needs we need to meet. #projectcircleg #creativeprocess #socialdesign #socialimpact #uganda
  • Different styles. We want prostheses to be as unique as shoes. #projectcircleg #socialdesogn #socialimpact #unique
  • Off we go! Research trip in uganda – here we come! ✈️ #projectcircleg #circleggoesuganda #socialimpact #socialdesign
  • Along 3D printing, we also use laser cutting for rapid prototyping (smells nice too, btw 🔥) #projectcircleg #socialdesign #socialimpact #lasercutting #industrialdesign #rapidprototyping
  • Different thing, different properties. We‘re testing different materials for the new prototype to find what suits us best. #projectcircleg #socialdesign #socialimpact
  • We were invited by @ethzurich to talk about the fusion of design and science! Meet us at Scientifica 19, on the first of September! 🎉🎊 #socialdesign #projectcircleg #socialimpact #scientifica19

supported by

deza
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