For running shoes, the upper doesn't really matter. It's what's in the sole that counts. Shoemakers for years have tinkered with their treads, trying to find the best way to match changing strides with changing terrains. The latest upgrade: a microchip in the new Adidas 1 that adjusts the shoe's cushioning on the run.
Here's how it works: A sensor measures the compression in the heel with each step. From that data, the 20-MHz processor (think Palm m100) extrapolates info about your stride and the running surface, then signals a motor that drives small gears to adjust the cushioning element, a 2-inch tube of DuPont-engineered plastic. Two buttons on the side of the shoe let runners indicate their preferred amount of squish. The watch-type battery will last 100 hours, or up to 600 miles - roughly the life of the 14.1-ounce sneaker.
At $250 a pair, it's about twice the price of most high-end competitors. Then again, it does have a brain. And there's more where that came from. Adidas is integrating circuit boards with other types of footwear. It's only a matter of time before another smart shoe drops.
- Jessie Scanlon
Cushioning element: Adjusts to conditions on the fly
Manual input: Lets you enter individual cushioning preferences
Battery: Lasts about 100 hours, or 500 to 600 miles
Processor: Analyzes sensor data, controls motor
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The Shoe With the 20-MHz Brain
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