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Verb for Shoe Auto-Adjusts Comfort With Built-in Computer
Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 2:30 AM on May 7, 2008
The adapting Verb shoes from VectraSense Technologies, an MIT spin-off company, have been in development for a while, but now they're finally ready to buy. They're not quite Marty's amazing Nike's from Back to the Future 2 but they are clever: the built-in twin air bladders are controlled by an on-board computer that detects what activities you're up to and adjusts the air pressure accordingly.
The idea behind the design is that the shoes are always comfortable, adapting dynamically. And if that's not 21st Century enough, then the shoes also have built-in wireless networking which can let you swap contact info with other Verb wearers nearby, and connect up to a PC so you can access the autocomfort settings. Activating the wireless mode is achieved by tipping your foot vertically and holding it for five seconds, so you shouldn't trip it off accidentally.
Partly because of all this technology, and partly because they're hand-made to order, a pair will set you back $699.99. [Verb via Talk2MyShirt]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
cubensis
Posted 3:17 AM 7/5/08
Is there a setting for sitting on your ass and playing WoW?
cubensis
mildretard
Posted 3:13 AM 7/5/08
This is about the stupidest thing I've seen in about oh, 14 minutes.
mildretard
phantam
Posted 3:09 AM 7/5/08
300$ i'd buy em ... current price is just too far out of reach, couldnt they have past them on to a japanese manufacturer and pumped em out for 1/3rd the price lol
phantam
TheCyberBob
Posted 3:01 AM 7/5/08
@Scott: No but they'll report on the reeking of your rather putrid piggies.
TheCyberBob
bms
Posted 2:56 AM 7/5/08
Thats more than my Jordans.
bms
Azteck
Posted 2:53 AM 7/5/08
needs a swoosh somewhere?
Azteck
MagnoliaBoy
Posted 2:52 AM 7/5/08
If they could drop the price to around $250-$300 I'd consider a purchase. They'll have to work on the styling a little though...
MagnoliaBoy
GOKOR
Posted 2:50 AM 7/5/08
@Kaiser-Machead: I'll second that. Anything for a pair of shoes that will last for many years of me running and just general use of the show. Would be great if interior held up as well.
@radeon21: I wouldn't say awful looking, just not in my first ten choices of style.
GOKOR
Jesustron
Posted 2:41 AM 7/5/08
Hey! POWER LACES!
Jesustron
Kaiser-Machead
Posted 2:38 AM 7/5/08
With the frequency and speed that I walk, I tear through shoes regularly. I'd only pay $700 if I was guaranteed that the rubber in the soles could withstand a dozens of landings under the tires of a 747.
Kaiser-Machead
Scott
Posted 2:38 AM 7/5/08
Yes but can they keep the funk from my feet?
Scott
radeon21
Posted 2:37 AM 7/5/08
too bad that computer can't make it look less awful
radeon21
FredicvsMaximvs
Posted 3:30 AM 7/5/08
So, next time I get into a fender-bender with someone I can just give them a vCard straight to the nuts?
FredicvsMaximvs
nospamsam
Posted 3:30 AM 7/5/08
Styles change so I don't care about how they look now.
I would suggest making it modular so that as you wear out different parts you can get them replaced. There could be a shell system so that you could switch the shoe from casual to formal by replacing the cover. The inner shoe could contain the "tech" to adjust to your feet and outer shells could be bought depending on the application.
I see many profitable applications, including medical. I'll bet that you see similar products in the $100-$300 range in the next few years.
nospamsam
One2ManyCords
Posted 3:29 AM 7/5/08
Am I the only one who sees Golf Shoes?
These would work well as golf shoes
One2ManyCords
ps61318
Posted 4:14 AM 7/5/08
And with my luck someone would hack my shoes and make me run to do evil.
That would be awful.
And they'd mess with my bladders. Also bad.
Then they would find out how little I exercise, and mock me.
And for this someone suggests I spend $700? I don't think so.
ps61318
twoeightnine
Posted 5:02 AM 7/5/08
Not bad, only $600 more than the Adidas 1.
[www.popularmechanics.com]
[www.footlocker.com]
twoeightnine
ripfire4
Posted 6:20 AM 7/5/08
$700 bucks? Good Laawwd!
Now if it can help me card count in Vegas...
ripfire4
Ednonymous
Posted 10:15 AM 7/5/08
Whatever happened to buying shoes which fit to begin with?
Ednonymous