GoodARCH invests nearly RM1m in AI foot mapping technology, expanding into Malaysia

AI-powered foot analysis, from foot impression capture to personalised health report. — Picture courtesy of GoodARCH

First Published: Monday, 28 Sep 2026 5:16 PM MYT

Last Modified: Monday, 28 Sep 2026 5:19 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — GoodARCH has invested nearly RM1 million (approximately NT$7 million) to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) powered foot mapping system that can generate a personalised foot assessment in about five minutes. The launch taps into a preventive health market that is gaining ground in Malaysia, where up to 75 per cent of people are expected to experience a foot problem in their lifetime.

The Asian arch support brand, operated by Homeway Technology, is introducing the technology in Malaysia as part of its expansion into preventive health solutions, with the system currently available at several locations, including its headquarters along Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur, as well as in Penang, Batu Pahat, and Johor Bahru. GoodARCH aims to work with local health management providers as it expands its presence, encouraging earlier health awareness and more proactive approaches to health management across the country.

To date, their technology has supported foot structure assessments for more than 300,000 users. Each assessment is paired with a GoodARCH Far-Infrared Arch Support insole, built for stability and shock absorption.

GoodARCH Chairman Hsieh Ming-Chia said the latest technology builds on the company’s two decades of work in foot health.

“GoodARCH has continued to invest in foot health technology and research, evolving from infrared-based arch support solutions to graphene technology, proprietary Torsion Field Energy (TFE) technology, and now AI-powered digital foot mapping,” he said.

He said the company would continue to explore technology that could make health assessment simpler and more practical for consumers, helping them better understand their health and identify potential concerns earlier.

Developed over 12 months by an 11-member team spanning medical engineering, business, and edge computing, the technology helps users understand their foot structure and identify potential arch imbalances earlier.

Dr Hsieh Chin-Hsing, Founder of GoodARCH, said the shift toward AI reflects a broader effort to get ahead of foot problems before they become disruptive.

“Many people only start paying attention to their feet when pain or difficulty walking begins to affect daily life. AI gives us an opportunity to change that by making foot assessment a simpler first step toward greater awareness and earlier action,” he said.

Foot health a growing concern among Malaysians

A study of 190 students conducted by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) found that 26.3 per cent had flat feet, a condition that may also affect urban working adults who spend long hours sitting or standing at work.

The foot arch plays a key role in supporting body weight and maintaining balance, and data published by the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia and the Malaysian Orthopaedic Association (MOA) show that 30 per cent to 40 per cent of Malaysians aged 60 and above suffer from knee osteoarthritis [2], a condition linked to long-term arch abnormalities such as flat feet.

Broader push into preventive health

Beyond foot assessment, GoodARCH has extended its TFE and graphene technology into Health Rhythm, a physiotherapeutic recliner offering a passive routine for circulation and sleep.

GoodARCH’s core technologies have obtained medical device approvals and National Quality Award (SNQ) certification in Taiwan, along with patents in Malaysia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia.