Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Adidas creates Smart Shoe

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Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 05-07-2004, 08:54 AM:

Story here

Adidas Creates Computerized'Smart Shoe'

By WILLIAM McCALL
AP Business Writer

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Adidas says it has created the world's first "smart shoe" by mating it with a computer chip that adapts its cushioning level to a runner's size and stride.

The Adidas 1 is the product of a three-year secret project the German company developed at its U.S. headquarters in Portland, Ore.

On Thursday, Adidas opened its research lab to reporters from around the world for a first peek at a shoe the company claims will revolutionize distance running and training.

"This is the first intelligent shoe ever," said Erich Stamminger, global marketing director for Adidas. "It senses, understands and adapts."

After thousands of hours of testing, Adidas is confident the computerized shoe will endure the wear-and-tear of running in almost any condition - from hard pavement to dirt trails, and dry streets to wet beaches.

The microprocessor is located in the arch of the shoe, and drives a tiny screw and cable system that adjusts the heel cushion depending on the signals sent back by an electric sensor coupled to a magnet.

It is powered by a battery that conserves power by adjusting the shoe while it is in the air during a runner's stride, avoiding resistance from the ground.

The entire assembly weighs no more than 40 grams - just 10 percent of the 400-gram total weight of the shoe, to keep it light enough for distance runners.

But the $250 price tag is likely to make it a luxury item when it first goes on sale in December, said Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon.

"It's something that doesn't necessarily seem to have massive market appeal, but from the company standpoint speaks volumes about its technology capabilities," Swangard said.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 05-07-2004, 12:05 PM:

This is just what we need. F**king sneakers with the price tag equal to a small car payment.

$250 for a "smart shoe." Anyone willing to spend that much for a smart shoe has to be a stupid idiot.

It's already pretty damned stupid that many athletic shoes cost more than a good pair of dress shoes. And the lousy things don't last more than a few months.

Really, you have to question that $250 price tag as well. I strongly doubt if Addias is using labor in any industrialized countries to put the things together. All athletic shoe companies are in the game of paying factory workers in poor, third world countries a very tiny sum of money. With labor and materials, the average athletic shoe cannot cost anymore than a couple dollars to make. So why do the shoes have to cost $100 or more? Probably to pay some asshole basketball star's endorsment fee. Or to buy the CEO another castle in another part of the world.

It's no wonder why people in other countries around the world want to bomb America. We really have some STUPID priorities in this nation.

Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 05-08-2004, 02:42 AM:

I dunno, I paid somewhere around $70 for my last pair of asics GT-2080's. They seem to last about 6 months to a year depending on milage. I once had a pair of reeboks that I put about 600 miles on. DAMN GOOD SHOES!!!! To bad they dont make them anymore.

Josh

Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 05-08-2004, 06:52 AM:

quote: Jeremy Fuentes
a computer chip that adapts its cushioning level to a runner's size and stride.

a runner's size and stride really isn't going to vary too much. why not just get shoes with the optimal cushioning to begin with and leave it at that. i don't share my shoes with others, and i sure as hell wouldn't if i paid $250 for them.

carl

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-08-2004, 02:04 PM:

I wonder how much impact that microprocessor will make [Big Grin]

!

Mark

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 05-08-2004, 03:05 PM:

More crap for the landfills. I hope they take the hint from Kodak and recover the silver and other precious metals before they throw them out. HFS!

I've seen a recycle program for "sneakers" in general where they use the ground-up materials for basketball courts and other floors. (I assume they de-stink and sanitize them 1st) [Eek!]

Also FWIW, for many years, Reeboks were well-known as the brunt of much comment and perhaps as a joke to be Theeee "Lesbian Shoe".

Real men wear Nike or New Balance. [Razz]

>>> Phil

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 05-08-2004, 03:31 PM:

Real men wear Nike or New Balance? Perhaps for exercising. I laugh at the kids I see who wear $100 athetic shoes only for fashion purposes. The only exercise they get is working their fingers on X-Box controllers.

Justin Boots or Doc Martens. Now those are some ass kicking shoes. And they're not made by slave labor in third world countries, but rather made in Texas and Great Britain respectively.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 05-08-2004, 03:41 PM:

Hot tip: We were talking about "athetic shoes" not ass-kicking boots.

>>> Phil

Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 05-08-2004, 04:23 PM:

quote: Carl Martin
a runner's size and stride really isn't going to vary too much.

Dont run much do you? People dont all run one pace, the purpose is so the shoe can adjust on the fly.

But then again, if you havent been there, you'll never know.

JJ

Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 05-09-2004, 03:25 AM:

er, um, ok you got me. i do run for the bus sometimes, though. let's just say size isn't going to vary much. unless you do a lot of running...

carl

Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 05-09-2004, 05:08 PM:

ok [Smile]