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]
[Via Smart Mobs]



















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
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."