Yeah, but will my Odor-Eaters still work?
Category: Cycling/Running/Fitness... Tech...
Posted Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 02:16 PM [GMT-6]

OK, here's a test. Fill in the blanks in the following series of quotes, based on what kind of apparatus you think is being described:

Each _____ contains a microprocessor capable of making 5 million calculations per second. A magnetic sensor in the _________ measures its compression on impact, taking 1,000 readings per second. A secret algorithm then decides on the optimal amount of cushioning required. To achieve that, a tiny electric motor, spinning at 6,000 rpm, turns a metal rod that adjusts the hollow plastic ________. All of this is powered by a replaceable 3-volt battery said to last for 100 hours.

Sounds pretty impressive, right? Would you more or less impressed knowing that the following terms complete the sentences: "shoe," "shoe's heel" and "heel."

Welcome to the brave new world of running shoes, where the $250 "Adidas 1" makes a geek out of every wearer.

According to Gizmodo, in a pre-production sneak peak of the shoe last year, the processors in each shoe operate at a cycle speed of 20 MHz. That's faster than my first desktop computer! I'm trying to find out if there's any truth to the rumor that the teensy CPUs are running an OS called "Shoenix." [Heh.]

The Business Week story linked above discloses that the next generation of this shoe is likely to contain a port for downloading data to your PC. I know at least one local running engineer who will surely be first in line to pony up for that capability.

But I now have to wonder just how long it will be before someone hacks their way onto the winner's stand at the Boston Marathon?

Update: I just realized that I failed to provide a link to the Adidas 1 website. My bad.

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Comments

Wonder what happens when the sneaker experiences a BSOD?

Posted by: Mr. Freen at April 27, 2005 04:58 PM

Oh, no...not the Blue Sneaker Of Death! ;-)

(Man, this just opens up all kinds of avenues for satire!)

Posted by: Eric at April 27, 2005 05:02 PM
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