Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors
  3. News

Digitsole announces plans for the first adaptive cushioning smart sneakers

Dallon Adams
By

digitsole adaptive shoes ces 2017
At CES 2016, Digitsole introduced its “self-lacing” sneakers, inspired by Marty McFly’s infamous kicks from Back to The Future Part II. Now the company is looking to outdo itself with its latest line of connected running sneakers, specifically The Active Cushioning Run Profiler prototype. The name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue and the sneaker certainly is not the most attractive sight to behold. Regardless, the overall idea is rather ambitious, but is it just vaporware?

In the past, Digitsole — in collaboration with Zhor-Tech — has released an array of Bluetooth-connected smart sneakers and accessories. Previously, a series of heated insoles, as well as a shoe known as the Warmin’ Sneaker were designed to help maintain an internal shoe temperature (up to 113 Fahrenheit) for optimal comfort during outdoor activity.

Related Videos

This latest Digitsole prototype is designed to create a more intuitive and ergonomic running experience overall. Currently, all of this hardware exists inside of the removable Run Profiler insole. A series of built-in sensors monitor pressure at specific points along the foot. These determine your “foot posture” in real time, allowing users to analyze stress, force, and general movement.

Based on this data, the Run Profiler insole can alert you through its paired app when there is an increased injury risk. With the current insole model, a built-in accelerometer tracks your basic metrics including speed, distance, calories, and steps. All of this information and the daily metrics can be accessed via the Run Profiler app. This app can also relay coaching advice and suggest tips to help improve your workout.

The Active Cushioning Run Profiler is not available for purchase just yet, however, Digitsole hopes to release the product by the end of 2017. To build on this preliminary step, Digitsole plans to eventually pair “adaptive cushioning” with the current Run Profiler insole in 2018. This will, at least in theory, enable the insole to respond to stress and compression points by shifting support as needed during activity. According to TechCrunch, the company plans to accomplish this task using a “NeoTech microcellular polymer which modifies the hardness of different zones of the midsole by introducing tiny amounts of energy.”

That is quite the technological gap to bridge indeed.

Again, the shoes are not exceptionally sleek or stylish. However, with more functionality, they certainly aren’t the late-night laughingstock that was NBA player Stephen Curry’s sneakers, the Curry Two Chefs.

While the insole is definitely a product to keep an eye on in the coming months, until the shoe serves a purpose other than something to slip said insole into, we probably won’t hold our breath on the fleet of smart sneakers just yet. Is this just hype from Digitsole, or can the company deliver these trailblazing innovations?

We will just have to wait to find out.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Your Whirlpool smart oven can now act as an air fryer, too
The Whirlpool Smart Oven line is getting an air fry mode.

One of the major perks of smart home technology is that you don't necessarily have to buy a new appliance to get new features. Whirlpool made that all the more obvious at CES 2022 today when the company announced a software update coming to the Smart Slide-in Gas and Electric Ranges, as well as the Smart Single, Double, and Combination Wall Ovens through an "instant over-the-air upgrade." Imagine that: A software update that adds the functionality of a completely different appliance to something you already have.

The addition of the air fry functionality isn't all that Whirlpool smart ovens are getting, either. They'll soon be able to connect to the Yummly smart thermometer. This might seem like a minor update, but there's actually a lot of functionality packed into the smart thermometer, too. The thermometer's app has a lot of recipes packed in, and it can start preheating your oven based on which recipe you're using. The thermometer can connect to your smartphone from up to 150 feet away and can guide even the most inexperienced home cook toward a delicious finish. If you're not confident in the kitchen, the main thing to remember is that heat is your best friend and your worst enemy. Too much heat and you burn your dish, but too little and it comes out gross. A smart thermometer can help zero in that Goldilocks temperature.

Read more
Abode expands line of smart home devices with doorbell, light bulbs at CES 2022
The Adobe Wireless Video Doorbell beside its speaker.

Abode has announced two new additions to its existing lineup of smart home products at CES 2022. The Abode Wireless Video Doorbell beams live 2K footage to your phone, or to the cloud with a subscription plan. It boasts full-color night vision, wire-free installation, and two-way audio.

As you would hope, the doorbell is certified to weather the outdoors with an IP65 waterproof rating. It comes with a companion Chime device to act as the bell indoors. On the software side, the Abode Wireless Video Doorbell is able to differentiate people from other kinds of movement, which can help you triage notifications appropriately. This capability is expected to expand to pets and packages in the future.

Read more
GE expands Cync smart light lineup, adds climate control, camera
GE Cync lights set up in gaming room.

If you’ve never heard of Cync by GE Lighting you could be forgiven. It doesn’t get the press of some other more popular brands of smart lighting. Today, GE Lighting announced several new Cync products that will expand this smart lighting platform to a full smart home ecosystem, meaning if it's not already on your radar, it should be.

As part of CES 2022, the company is introducing a smart thermostat and temperature sensor, a line of outdoor security cameras, and several new lighting products to its family of connected products. A big bonus for many consumers, there is no additional hub or bridge required to create the Wi-Fi connection needed for automation and scheduling.

Read more