From Our “Why-Do-We-Need-This? Department”: Smart Shoes

By | July 27, 2014

Shoes That Tell You Where to Go

Many of us have become so dependent on digital map tools — relying on specific, real-time instructions from Google or Siri to direct us, step by step, from point A to point B — that there is nostalgia for physical maps floating around out there.

But for those of you who believe there’s not enough technological wizardry guiding your every footfall: Good news! “Smartshoes” are reportedly on the way.

Shoes That Tell You Where to Go

(Via Lechal.com)

Lechal (pronounced “lay-chal”) shoes claim to be “the world’s first interactive haptic footwear.” Using a Bluetooth link to your Internet-connected smartphone, the shoes are designed to vibrate in ways that nudge you in the proper direction as you wander the world.

For example, suppose you’re planning a stroll to the nearest Chipotle restaurant. You would enter that destination into Google Maps and then wait for the physical feedback to arrive at your feet. If you’re supposed to turn right, you would get a right-foot buzz.

image

(Via Lechal.com)

And if you depart from the correct path, you’re zapped with 340 volts until you get back on course. (Just kidding! It doesn’t do that at all. But since there already is a fitness tracker that shocks you for failing to meet your goals, it could be a potential feature.)

The smartshoes are aesthetically distinct in a way that strikes me as potentially appealing to people who want to let the world know they are wearing “smart” kicks — like Google Glass for feet. But Lechal also plans an insole option that will work with your footwear…

Via Yahoo.com — Read the rest of this article and they’ll tell you where to go…

One thought on “From Our “Why-Do-We-Need-This? Department”: Smart Shoes

  1. Ken Roberts

    Would work well if you were lost in the desert and was running out of water. and to the bathroom at night when you are half a sleep . You might even set it up where if you have your shoes stolen it would give out unpleasant shocks until the thief threw them in the river .

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Ken Roberts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *