Gizmodo
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
too bad that computer can't make it look less awful
Yes but can they keep the funk from my feet?
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.
Hey! POWER LACES!
@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.
If they could drop the price to around $250-$300 I'd consider a purchase. They'll have to work on the styling a little though...
needs a swoosh somewhere?
Thats more than my Jordans.
@Scott: No but they'll report on the reeking of your rather putrid piggies.
300$ 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
This is about the stupidest thing I've seen in about oh, 14 minutes.
Is there a setting for sitting on your ass and playing WoW?
Am I the only one who sees Golf Shoes?
These would work well as golf shoes
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.
So, next time I get into a fender-bender with someone I can just give them a vCard straight to the nuts?
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.
Not bad, only $600 more than the Adidas 1.
[www.popularmechanics.com]
[www.footlocker.com]
$700 bucks? Good Laawwd!
Now if it can help me card count in Vegas...
Whatever happened to buying shoes which fit to begin with?
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