Walking In My Shoes...

A shoe may be a perfect a container for different mechanisms. A shoe may be a mechanism by itself. Or a mechanism may serve as a shoe.

Starting with a simple air pump.

About combination of iPod and Nike most people heard.

And if we mention MP3 shoes, meet Dada.

And if we mentioned Nike, let's mention their competitors - Adidas footings that have a computer chip and a tiny motor built into its sole and continually adjust itself to a runner's size, pace, terrain and even fatigue level. See details here.

And if we talk about Adidas, it runs a mutual project with Polar to develop a system that includes advanced heart rate monitoring built directly into the apparel, along with speed and distance measurement integrated into the shoes.

The Responsive Environments Group from MIT has some incredible developments. Here are two of them.

Wireless Wearable System for Gait Evaluation.

Power station in a shoe.

One can also convert the energy of his mass lifting during walking by inflating a stool to rest after exercise.

Georgia Tech scientists produced a super-duper nanogenerator that they plan to incorporate in shoes too.

Another interesting device restricts TV watching time by walking time. More your kid walks (runs, play outside), more TV he gets.

GPS in the sole is not a new idea, but specialized GPS Alarm Shoes for Sex Workers are also available.
Shoes that have adjustable heel height have different solutions. This, for example, may be up to 38°.

Heels may be interchangeable.

Electric Cinderella shoe is aimed for self defense.
Tap-n-bass is a pair of wired-up tap shoes are picked-up by piezo contact microphones and remixed live, resulting in drum-n-bass-inspired music.

A kids' toy for some boubtful walking communication.

Just for $50 you can have flip flops with a hidden pocket. I suppose, it is worthy if you carry more than $50 to a beach.

ArchPort shoes are designed similarly. And cost similarly.

And more cool things that are not in this post. For example, SoM-TOUR sandal.