14 DAY TRIAL // About two weeks ago, we wrote about the smartshoes developed by Ducere Technologies, capable of synching with Google Maps and guiding your steps to your destination much like a GPS device would. Now, we have something that is even better than that.
For a pair of so-called smartshoes, Ducere's invention is actually fairly single-minded, having only the ability to buzz when you're supposed to take a turn or another. Admittedly, there isn't the same range of possible interactions that you can use your feet for, unlike your hands.
One company decided to look past that perceived limitation, however, and invented a technology that can truly give birth to real smartshoes.
Called Boogio, the company has invented a technology that can turn any pair of shoes into smartshoes, and we do mean smart. The shoes can do much more than syncing with a GPS app.
For example, Boogio can detect gravitational forces, like your weight or things weighing on your feet, like footballs. For another, it can detect your inner balance. Moreover, it can detect how your feet move in real time.
There isn't much that this can be used for when you go for a walk. Boogio thinks the applications can be massive, however, in virtual reality, mobile and interactive gaming.
Take this example: by syncing the Boogio to headsets like the Oculus Rift, you could add a whole new dimension to the enjoyment of a virtual reality game (kicking opponents, tapping or stepping on virtual pressure plates, etc.)
It's not even all about entertainment. Boogio shoes could be used for various forms of training, and even rehabilitation after muscle atrophy in the legs (even providing info on muscle movements). More still, the Boogio shoes could be synced to a phone app and send alerts to other people if the wearer suffers a fall (ergo, the balance and gravitational forces shift too radically).
There are even business uses. When you make a slide-show presentation, you can just lean to the left or right to move to the next slide in the Power Point file.
You can see the introduction of the technology in the video embedded below. Unfortunately, though, Boogio doesn't have any shoes to sell. It has, however, introduced the Boogio Alpha developer kit, which will allow shoe makers to provide all these capabilities, and more, to any footwear they wish.
The kit has a price of $2,000 / €1,498 and contains a pair of flexible sensor inserts, Bluetooth clips that attach to the outside of your shoe, and USB cables (for charging). Shipping, handling, and any applicable taxes are included.
We'll be talking with Boogio's CEO Jose Torres to learn what else the technology can be applied to (smart gloves maybe?) and what other plans are in place.