Startup Shift Robotics Introduces Moonwalker Shoes That Can Increase Walking Speed by 250% with AI Algorithms.
Video: Shift Robotics
Developed by a team of robotic engineers who previously worked at Carnegie Mellon University in the United States before founding the company Shift Robotics, the Moonwalker shoes may resemble rollerblades, but they are powered by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that allow the wearer to walk normally without any manual controls.
You can walk with them just like you would with regular shoes or sneakers, allowing the motorized wheels to create a spring-like motion in your stride. Powered by modern brushless DC motors, this clever design is essentially a platform that can be attached to various types of footwear, significantly increasing your walking speed up to 7mph (11kph).
In comparison, the average human walking speed ranges from 2.5 to 4 miles per hour. The experience of walking in the world’s fastest shoes has been likened to walking on a “moving walkway” in an airport.
“Moonwalker is not roller skates. You don’t skate on them; you walk. You also don’t need to learn how to use them. These shoes learn from you,” emphasized Xunjie Zang, founder and CEO of Shift Robotics.
The design features straps that allow Moonwalker to be used with almost any pair of shoes. It has 8 polyurethane wheels, similar to roller skates. However, these wheels are much smaller and do not align in a straight line. They are powered by a 300-watt electric motor.
Using sensors, the AI monitors how the wearer walks, and the algorithm automatically adjusts the motor’s power to synchronize with the speed, allowing for acceleration and deceleration as the user walks faster or slower.
The World’s Fastest Walking Shoes: Moonwalker.
According to Shift Robotics, Moonwalker is the fastest walking shoe in the world, capable of increasing the wearer’s walking speed by 250% based on the analysis that the average walking speed of a person is 4 – 6.4 km/h.
It is also designed to climb stairs and tackle slopes through a special foot movement that activates a locking mode to prevent the wheels from rolling freely.
With a battery range of nearly 10 km, Moonwalker could serve as an alternative to personal vehicles like cars and motorcycles for short distances. Its compact size allows you to easily store it under a desk or even in a backpack.
Shift Robotics is striving to bring its smart shoes to more consumers through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, hoping to raise $90,000. The company has begun pre-orders for Moonwalker this week at a retail price of $1,399 per pair, with expected delivery in March 2023.
