Posted on 09/23/2016 9:52:50 PM PDT by aquila48
Nike has finally announced when it will begin selling its self-lacing sneakers inspired by the shoes worn by Michael J. Fox in Back to The Future II. According to a tweet from the company's Heidi Burgett, the HyperAdapt 1.0 will be available for "experience & purchase" starting on the 28th of November, but only in select Nike locations in the US. Pricing is still unknown, but expect a "high price tag," according to a Wired feature on the shoe's development.
You can check out the full story from Wired for a more detailed look at how the sneakers were made, but here are the key points. Each shoe has an internal cable system made from fishing line and a pressure sensor in the sole. When you put your foot in, the cables tighten based on "an algorithmic pressure equation," and this fit can be adjusted throughout the day with a pair of buttons near the tongue.
LEDs in the heel light up when the shoes are tightening and when it's on low battery, and all the internal electronics mean that yes, you do have to charge these shoes. It takes three hours for a full charge and each charge last about two weeks, with Nike providing a magnetic clip-on charger similar to that used by Apple for the Apple Watch. It's also worth noting that the thick nylon laces you see on the top of the sneaker are just "visual aids" they tighten, but they're not what's keeping the shoe hugged to your foot. You can watch the video below from Wired for a closer look:
(Excerpt) Read more at theverge.com ...
Yes, but at what price?
I will be giving standing orders to all of my friends and family ... to shoot me dead and take possession of all my assets if I ever buy something so ludicrous.
It just tightens fixed straps.
Big deal.
Homey bait. Long lines and fights after Turkey day, Magic 8 ball?
‘Fo Shizzle!’
I think they missed their target market which would be people in nursing homes who can’t bend over to tie their shoes.
And who could also afford it./s
Dumbed down for their target audience. They should put a button on there that automatically calls a criminal defense attorney as well.
Air Jordans were $200. A few tax years ago I calculated how many yutes I shod, but can’t remember now that I’m mini-galt.
Wonder what these wonders will sell for.
Unless they include a free Hoverboard with purchase, I’m not buying them.
If they want to sell a bunch of them they ought to make kids (up to 6 yo) shoes like that, but given that they are pricey, they would need to make them so they grow with the kid’s feet.
That’s a great idea! I think I’ll file a patent.
Imagine a shoe that fits a kid from one to five years of age and that “self laces”. Parents and kids would love it.
Once you start putting electronics and little motors in there, you can make the shoe a dynamic orthopedic shoe for people that have trouble walking with regular shoes.
I think this opens up a ton of potentials.
I’m sure other creative freepers will think of more applications...
I’m buying Nike stocks. See my post #11. As I think about it, I can imagine a bunch of applications.
These will sell like the first iPhone. Remember how much it was?
When we were young, the tighter you laced-up your hightop black Keds the faster you could run.
And a sign of growing up was not having Mom-tied double knots.
the only thing I can add to your shoe “invention” is that they would pop out condoms every time “the road got hard”...../s
“how lazy do you actually have to be, to buy these??? or is it a welfare thing?”
You Luddite, you!
Do you use a TV remote? A dishwasher? A garage door opener? Automatic transmission? Power windows in your car? A washer, a dryer? Escalator? Elevator?...
Wow, hope they don’t explode like Samsung phones! Say you’re shooting hoops, hang on the rim and come down hard. Kaboom, you’re ballistic!
There’ll be an iPed app for that. :)
Why not?
Like reactive armor on tanks, but on the soles?
There’s another feature! ‘Semtex Flubber For Tough Times’.
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