The Idea Factory
The Idea Factory: A smarter running shoe
German researchers are developing a biometric sneaker that can help you fine tune your stride
An improper stride can injure even the best runner. But what if your running shoes could tell you what you're doing wrong? Enter the Runsafer project. These sensor-laden sneakers, developed by the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany, "provide real-time feedback on your running style," said Andrew Liszewski at Gizmodo. A biometric sensor built into the sole works with an accelerometer and GPS hardware to analyze a runner's technique. The data is then beamed via Bluetooth to an app that offers recommendations for how you can improve — for instance, by striking the ground with more of the forefoot.