CES 2008: The iShoes, Or How to Move Around without Moving an Inch

Beside acting as some sort of "playground" for some of the biggest names in the CE industry, the International CES 2008 is also a place where the less-known manufacturers or independent inventors showcase their latest creations, hoping to find some investors or simply to draw the customers' attention. And this is also the case with Ilya Kaganovich from Plymouth, Minnesota, who came at this major event in order to promote his iShoes, a moving contraption that is supposed to allow its users/drivers to get around at speeds of up to 13.5mph (21 kilometers per hour).

Inspired, at least according to the inventor's own statement, by Apple and Lamborghini, these things have a very attractive design, as well as quite a hefty amount of power, provided by the A123 Lithium-ion battery pack (5 Cells, 18.0v, 2.3 Ah). Furthermore, the batteries also offer quite an OK level of autonomy, since 2 hours of recharge will allow the user to move for around 5 kilometers.

The iShoes have also been equipped with Colson Non Marking Sure Grip tires, 3.5-inch (8.89cm) bearing wheels and 4-inch rear drive wheel (10.16cm). The wheel mechanism is quite a strong one since it's supposed to support loads of up to 133 kilos, which means that even the bigger-boned users could get around on these things.

Size-wise, the devices are not a lot bigger than a pair of roller-skates, measuring around 10.2 cm x 30.1 cm x 48.3cm. However, they're quite heavier, this they weigh around 5.3 kilos.

Unfortunately, since they're manufactured in limited numbers, the iShoes are extremely expensive, a pair retailing for around 600 US dollars. I don't know about you, but spending this amount for a couple of devices that will land you either in the hospital or worse doesn't seem to be the brightest idea.



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