FOOTWEAR WITH INTERACTIVITY

Contributed by Marina Correa photography: courtesy ofducere technologies Lechal, the world’s first interactive haptic footwear, was developed by two young Indian techies named krispian lawrence and anirudh sharma. Lechal was initially conceived as an innovation for people who are visually impaired, but it is applicable to everyone… This shoe-smart phone navigation gadget is controlled by the volume controls of the phone, making it an exceedingly practical piece of wearable technology that is aimed at making wearable technology less intrusive and more straightforward. So, how exactly does it function? An application that has been downloaded into a smartphone and then links with the footwear via the use of bluetooth. The user sets their destination by interacting with the app, and then, using a haptic navigational system, their footwear takes them there using simple vibrations. For example, if the user has to travel to the left, he will feel a vibration in his left shoe to indicate that he should make that turn. When it is time to turn, the app retrieves a local map of the region, and a GPS receiver simultaneously records the person’s position in real time. This sends a signal to the actuator to vibrate. Lechal may be used not just for navigation, but also as a fitness monitoring system, allowing the user to build interactive exercises, count steps, and monitor calorie consumption. “You can also go on a walk, explore new locations, and never get lost,” reassures Krispian. “This is all possible.” The footwear, which takes the concept of intuitiveness to a whole new level, enables users to flag places and establish destinations by making movements like tapping their feet. Additionally, the footwear guarantees that you will never forget to bring your phone with you. So, tell me, where did you get the idea for these high-fashion shoes that are also equipped with cutting-edge technology? Tinkerers and design nerds at heart, the partners are of the opinion that technology should be seamlessly incorporated into one’s life without the inconvenience of being a gadget. Because of this core conviction, their company, ducere technologies, is always innovating to build new and potentially game-changing products. When we speak about maintenance, the material that is used for the shoes and insoles is washable and resistant to the growth of germs; nevertheless, it is important to remember to take out the electronics chip before washing the shoes. Additionally, each pair of shoes comes with a finger-snap-activated USB charger that reacts by producing an audible tone that is proportional to the amount of energy remaining. Finally, since their goal was to design a navigational aid that would be helpful to the blind, they are making the following offer: for every pair of shoes that is sold (which has a price tag of $100), a subsidized pair will be supplied to the blind at a price of $50! On March 7, 2014, customers may begin placing pre-orders for lechal footwear on the company’s website, www.lechal.com. Please visit inditerrain.indiaartndesign.com in order to see the photographs.