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Raphael Thys
Shift Robotics unveiled what it claims is the "world's fastest shoes," which allow you to "walk at the speed of a run."
The Pittsburgh-based engineering company launched a Kickstarter campaign last week for the shoes, which they're calling "Moonwalkers."
Reminiscent of those plastic strap-on roller skates kids wear, Moonwalkers use a combination of AI and machine learning to help the wearer move much more swiftly than they can in a typical pair of shoes, and without having to actually run.
A brushless DC motor distributes power across eight plastic wheels, which react to the natural movement of each ankle to transition between Shift (go) and Lock (stop) modes. A front hinge allows the foot to naturally bend at the toes, preserving mobility and balance, while an electronic multi-layer brake protection system allows you to use stairs, elevators, and mass transit without fear of falling on your face.
"Walk how you usually do, and our AI adapts to you," the Shift Robotics website explains. "It's not skating; it's genuinely walking, so no new skills are necessary to learn. The learning curve is typically under 10 steps. To walk faster, you just walk faster. To slow down, walk slower. To stop, well, you stop walking."
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Boasting a top speed of 7mph and average range of 6.5 miles on a single charge, Moonwalkers weigh about 4.2 pounds and can recharge using a USB-C cable and charger.
The Kickstarter campaign has already reached its funding goal with 23 days still left to go at the time of writing. If you'd like to grab a pair they are certainly not cheap. Depending on when you visit the Kickstarter page, expect to pay between $1,099 and $1,299 with delivery not expected until Aprile next year. If that's a little steep for a pair of shows, perhaps consider some running shoes and actually running instead!