Outland Research patents "smart soles" for adjustable shoes

Now if they could only figure out Power Lacing Technology. California-based Outland Research has recently received a patent for its new sports shoe tech that allows for adjustable cushioning. The shoe features multiple hollow bladders, which are connected by a series of tubes (just like the internet) and contain some spiffy electrically-activated liquid. When a charge is applied, the liquid hardens, changing from a free-flowing cushion to a stiff foot support for running or jogging. The change can be activated by a knob on the shoe, via Bluetooth, or even potentially by a shock sensor in the shoe itself, which could adjust firmness on the fly. Changes in the liquid take only a few milliseconds, so the shoe could even potentially adjust stiffness step to step. No word yet on any commercial takers just yet.

[Via Smart Mobs]

[Ray-- @ Dec 22nd 2006 12:16PM]

remember how popular the pump-shoes were back in the day...

i never had those either...

[Gennaro @ Dec 22nd 2006 12:26PM]

Now this technology seems cool, imagine needing to run away from something very fast, and you can stiffen your shoes from comfort to sprinter in a matter of milliseconds via a BT controller. Sounds pretty sweet to me.

[JinKazama @ Dec 22nd 2006 12:28PM]

Sounds cool but it's about a year too late adidas already has a very similar tech minus the bluetooth functionality

http://www.eastbay.com/catalog/productdetail.cfm?TID=5555-56220611250156111269029-0&cm=GLOBAL%20SEARCH%3A%20KEYWORD%20SEARCH&supercat=home&model_nbr=66464&sku=772791

[Scott @ Dec 22nd 2006 12:38PM]

Doesn't anyone remeber "Back to the Future 2"?

Bad as it was... this is a total visual and functional knock off of those shoes.

[Dan McNevin @ Dec 22nd 2006 12:50PM]

The picture in the post *is* from Back to the Future 2.

Also, "bad as it was"? You must realize it's one of the finest movies movies ever made.

[John Doe @ Dec 22nd 2006 4:30PM]

Scott take a closer look at the screen cap....and RTFA and rewatch the movie again. Stupidity ensues.

[Brett Kelley @ Dec 22nd 2006 12:41PM]

Outland, eh? Surely Sean Connery and (the late great) Peter Boyle were involved.

[Sotheby @ Dec 22nd 2006 12:59PM]

Scott @ Dec 22nd 2006 12:38PM
Doesn't anyone remeber "Back to the Future 2"?

Hello, McFly, Anybody Home?
Now why don't you make like a tree and get outta here?

[Paul @ Dec 22nd 2006 1:40PM]

"Now this technology seems cool, imagine needing to run away from something very fast, and you can stiffen your shoes from comfort to sprinter in a matter of milliseconds via a BT controller. Sounds pretty sweet to me"

Yes so after you try on these shoes, realize how comfortable they are, you can firm them up and bolt out the store with them!

[Shermie @ Dec 22nd 2006 1:46PM]

Adidas (1.0) introduced a running and basketball shoe with a motorized device that electronically adjusts the heel and fit as you walk and run. I have a pair and they work amazingly.

[Kyle Mistry @ Dec 22nd 2006 1:52PM]

Whoa! Just like in Back To The Future! Craziness.

[Joe @ Dec 22nd 2006 2:44PM]

All we need now is the hovering skateboard!

[Karel Jansens @ Dec 22nd 2006 4:13PM]

"...on the _fly_"! :D

Good one, guys.

[Taka3G @ Dec 22nd 2006 5:34PM]

I'd definitely buy this when it comes out! Now only if it came with a hover board...

[Michael @ Dec 22nd 2006 7:50PM]

Man I've wanted a pair of those shows since I saw the movie. Always amazed me Nike never brought them out. Hopefully they will. They look so much cooler then anything on the market right now and I would totally tuck my jeans into them too. :)

[EBone @ Dec 23rd 2006 11:27AM]

I don't think I want my shoes to be smarter than I am.

Me: "Hey, why am I running all of a sudden?"

My shoes: "You could use a little exercise today chubby."