With the enormous convenience of Internet-on-the-go, we slowly condition ourselves to rely on a continuous bombardment of stimuli, and dependence sort of just…sets in. Google Maps guide us, Yelp decides where we dine, Amazon determines our purchases, and suddenly the act of discovery through happenstance is gone. When was the last time you found something by serendipitously walking?
MIT researcher Dhairya Dand shares this sentiment, but also acknowledges that the sheer convenience of digital life is tough to beat. His solution: smart shoe soles that uses tickling patterns to communicate with your smartphone and help you discover locations pertaining to your interest – all without ever needing to check your phone.
“I'm frustrated with the way smartphones, [Google] glass and the other wearables take over my life, I yearn for the wonder and beauty of reality, the serendipity of discovery,” Dand tells Gizmag. “However I do acknowledge the benefits of a digital life and hence the shoes seemed as the perfect interface, our feet are the interface between our body and the earth.”
SuperShoes, as the soles are called, are a pair of flexible inner soles, each equipped with a microcontroller, three vibro-tacile motors for toe tickling, a capacitive pad for touch recognition, and low-power Bluetooth. Users begin by registering their interests ─ favorite food, stores, and hobbies ─ with an online platform called ShoeCentral. SuperShoes then communicate with your smartphone and use its location and data service to guide you around the city, tickling your left toe to indicate a left turn, or your right toe if you need to turn right.
ShoeCentral will populate a list of potential locations based on parameters you establish, and make its own suggestions on where to go. For example, say you’ve told the software that you’re passionate about enchiladas; the soles will then tickle you to indicate you’re close to an enchiladas stand and proceed to guide you there. The destination is then displayed on your smartphone and if you’re not satisfied then simply tapping your foot moves on to next notification.
Furthermore, the software can also be synchronized with your calendar and to-do-list, reminding you of imminent tasks when you’re within close proximity. Alternatively, if there’s a gap of free time in your schedule, SuperShoes will know plan a quick route to help you discover something new.
Since SuperShoes’ relies on ShoeCentral, which in turn relies on your calendar, you’ll need to get into the habit of keeping an up-to-date digital record of your daily schedule, otherwise, SuperShoe won’t know when to plan a walk. In a sense, you’re surrendering your freedom to the device; but, what you receive in return is the freedom of Internet-assisted-decision making that’s independent of a smartphone. Dand does not plan to sell SuperShoes on the market, so Lechal’s haptic footwear will have to suffice unless you plan on building your own.
Via Gizmag
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