The Adidas 1, courtesy of The New York Times
Remember "The Six Million Dollar Man?" Well, Adidas has now applied the "We can rebuild him, make him better" mantra to running shoes.
The The New York Times provides the following description:
Sleek and lightweight despite its battery-powered sensor, microprocessor and electric motor, the shoe, named 1, is expected to be in stores by December and will cost $250.
Adidas executives say the shoe is no gadget-dependent gimmick. Instead, its designers say it represents a leap forward in wearable technology. Each second, a sensor in the heel can take up to 20,000 readings and the embedded electronic brain can make 10,000 calculations, directing a tiny electric motor to change the shoe. The goal is to make the shoe adjust to changing conditions and the runner's particular style while in use.
This sounds very similar to the anti-lock braking system found on most modern automobiles. One big difference: cars last for years while running shoes wear out in a matter of months.
With that in mind, will runners spring for a pair of "bionic" shoes at $250 a pop? I suspect that, if runners really experience a difference in their performance they will buy into "1."
What to you think? Use the "Comments" feature to let us know.
In the meantime, I plan to order a pair for Jennifer as a late Mother's Day / early Christmas gift. Too bad they won't be out in time for this year's San Francisco's Bay-to-Breakers (May 16th).
-Tim
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