‘World’s Fastest Shoes’ Promise To Get You From Point A To B A Lot More Quickly

While teleportation may not be realized all too soon, Shift Robotics—a spinoff firm from Carnegie Mellon University—has taken up the challenge of working out the next best solution: ‘Moonwalkers’.

Claiming to be the “world’s fastest shoes,” the Moonwalkers aren’t just your usual sandals, but rather, make use of an AI-powered ergonomic hinge system that allows users to “walk at the speed of a run.”

While walking, the 300W motor in each mechanism powers its eight wheels, allowing the user to feel as though they’re on a “moving sidewalk” escalator often seen in airports. 

With its machine-learning technology, sensors on both sides constantly send signals to each other, using algorithms to monitor the wearer’s gait, and adjust the speed of the wheels according to how fast he or she is walking. 

Importantly, braking can be performed at short notice, with the device able to decelerate from its 7 mph top speed to a full standstill in less than 3.3 feet of runoff.

There won’t be any fear of flying off into the distance either, with speed regulation measures in place especially when users are moving downhill.

Despite the mechanism increasing your speed by a whopping 250%, users don’t have to know how to skate before trying these on.

In fact, the company says it’s akin to “genuinely walking,” meaning you’ll be ready to zip and zap through the streets without any lessons.

Intriguingly, the team designed the Moonwalkers to be attached to a wide variety of shoes, with adjustable straps and quick-release magnetic buckles to make the transition from your office footwear to casual sneakers easier. 

On one charge, which takes an estimated one and a half hours, a pair of the innovative shoes will last six miles, depending on how fast one walks and the terrain you’re traversing. 

The Moonwalkers are currently on Kickstarter mode. Each early bird set, retailing at US$999, will come with a USB-C charger and carrying bag, and is expected to ship by March 2023.

[via New Atlas and Shift Robotics, images via Shift Robotics]