The idea of smart shoes may sound absurd to some laymen. After all, the shoes are worn on the leg so what makes them so special?
Most people disregard the fact that the feet are as important as other parts of the body, and so they pay little or no attention to it. In fact, it isn’t until looking down on someone, that the feet become ostensibly noticed.
Since they are not the first to come into mind, their strategic importance cannot be overlooked. As shoes are worn on the feet, they can be securely equipped to leverage on those not paying close
attention. For security reasons, smart shoes thus go a long a way.
For example, small cameras, sensors, and communication devices can be wired within the shoe, so that the owner can have them connected via an app provided for by the shoe manufacturers.
Although, as the shoe touches the ground, it is prone to some environmental conditions such as moisture, mud, and all that can affect the internal makeup of electrical components, which can be averted by making it all water-proof.
A significant problem of smart shoes is the internal battery. Beneath the water-proof layers that acts as its fortress, the smart shoe battery is very volatile. At worst, it could technically set the shoe ablaze or die off completely.
Hence, shoe manufacturers should sufficiently test-run the smart shoes under all conditions before launching it into market.
Currently, one trending brand of smart shoe is the recent Ixigo ShoesX, which purports to charge the internal battery through the kinetic energy from walking. It also has a USB port (IP67 Rated) that can charge phones.
Ixigo ShoeX has a front and back camera paired to the app on the smartphone, used for security footage and selfie captures (speaking of taking selfies by raising the shoe towards the face).
The anti-theft sensor tracks the movement of shoe, as it allows the owner from the smartphone app to know the current location of the show, when it has been stolen.
Ixigo, the company behind ShoesX stated that shoes are for Ixigo users and available till stock lasts. So it wasn’t produced in mass, as it was exclusively for Ixigo customers.
Another brand is the Nike Adapt shoes, which according to Nike, electronically adjusts to the shape of your foot.
The Nike Adapt App, which is paired to the Shoe, can be used to check battery levels and more using just your smartphone. There are five customizable voice commands that work with Siri or Google Voice.
For Android users. The Nike App comes loaded with two preset fit modes: one tuned for activity and the other for relaxing. You can easily create your own with custom modes, as well.
The Apple Watch can also be used to personalize the shoes by instantly changing the color of shoe lights or switch up fit modes.
We expect more of these smart shoes to penetrate the market soon.