NTT's energy-generating shoes spotted without any sign of style
By Darren Murph 
posted October 20th 2008 9:32AM
posted October 20th 2008 9:32AM
[Via TokyoMango, image courtesy of AFP / Getty]
posted October 20th 2008 9:32AM
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*cough*Prototype*cough*
Yeah really. C'mon Engadget, that's ridiculous to mention seeing it's a prototype. I mean, it's probably not even a protoype yet. C'mon.
Cough*nodatesontheweekend*cough
Energy crissis averted... now only if the average person was not fat and out of shape... :-(
No kiddin'. You've got to walk to power that auto hotdog feeder strapped to your head (or whatever useless piece of crap you're carrying around).
65+% of all Americans are overweight. This blog's read by more than just US people, but we're the ones sucking down all the juice.
Well, the fatter they are, the more force exerted by a step . . . now if only they took a step.
Socks and sandals oh noes!!!!!!!!!!
Pfft, that shoe totally looks like a new Toyota Prius...
Score, I'm totally gonna buy a pair of these to wear to the airport next time I fly!
Amusingly, as long as its not a bottle of milk for your baby or a laptop, they'll probably just wave your through.
good luck getting through security!
I'm guessing because of the tubes it uses air movement to spin a turbine?
yes, must have an air bladder in the sole of the shoe. so it goes whizz-squeak-------whizz-squeak as you walk down the road.
It's actually not air, according to the FDA rejection, it's mercury swishing through those veins...
I think the larger fashion faux pas is socks with sandals. *shudder.*
+ pinstriped dress pants = *shudder* x 2
Pinstriped dress pants that are tucked into the sandals...
I wouldn't want any bare skin near that contraption, so maybe socks are OK just this one time.
Imagine if we had to see his feet though. A lot of people dislike looking at feet.
And DARK socks, even worse!
however there is an apparently staggering number that DO infact like looking at feet among other things while online...
They appear to be using air, compressed by the action of walking, to turn a tiny turbine. This seems primative, excessively complex (in terms of tiny, moving parts) and stupid. What's wrong with piezoelectric soles or ferrous rods moving past coils as the user swings its leg? Both of those things can be integrated into the shoe, and both require far fewer bits to actually work.
The rods could slide up and down the flat part of the shoe. Like back and forth with a coil towards the heel. Thats a really good idea.
Well count me out, I can't wear sandals to work.
I quite like the looks actually, but I will buy them only if they will power a separately sold stun gun or a weapon grade laser.
These shoes will definitely impress the TSA folks.
@iEye - The more weight, the more potential energy... For once it pays to be heavy.
On a more serious note... I do a lot of backpacking and have been researching solar methods of charging batteries while on the trail (5-10 days at a time). If this were working and embedded in a pair of hiking boots it would be a much better solution than solar since I imagine its much more efficient and still works at night and in poor weather conditions. And if it shorts out and gives you a little shock every time you step then that's motivation to keep pushing along ;)
You know it's badass because it's got the plumbing for watercooling. Now all it needs is some blue LED's and a 4" widescreen monitor that straps to your toes.
Nice avatar, simple, yet effective :)
Nice sandals, where did you buy them? Sears??
This is like L.A. Gear Version -2.0
Give these shoes to dads with infants and you could break our dependence on foreign oil. I walked my 3 month old around the living room for the entire duration of 4 [vice] presidential debates and Saturday Night Live the past few weeks. It sure seemed like a waste of energy. (Not that I think my children are a waste, but pouring that much energy into sleep.) It would have been cool to have been able to power my TV with all that pacing and rocking.
personal generator. i loved that.
no more battery outs for ipod...
add 15 of those to each mattress in Las Vegas and I think we have our world energy problem solved......
Woohoo! unlimited energy for "L.A. Lights" shoes.. Come on, YOU remember right?
Imagine if the entire Riverdance crew had a pair! We could power North America!
Two words, "Still" "Suit"
A fluid filled bladder under the full foot would act as a cushion, like the gel innersoles. It could serve two purposes, and the peizo-electric thingie could still be added to generate even more power.
RichardBronosky,
I totally agree with your "pacing with the baby" comment. Been there too! If I had a watt of electricity for every time I walked & sang my daughter to sleep... Now that I think about it, I did. I generated it in static electricity due to dry air heat and carpeting. How shocking!