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Power Laces From Back To The Future 2
The power laces from the 1989 movie Back to the Future Part II are now ready, thanks to Blake Bevin. Take a look at the inspiring video below.
(Powered self-lacing shoe)
Inspired by 'Back to The Future II', this project is less 'Practical' than 'Proof of Concept', but hopefully it'll tide you over until Nike comes out with something more polished.This was also the first time I worked with an Arduino microcontroller, and I wanted to get some experience with the little guy.
Operation is quite simple- step into the shoe and a force sensor reads the pressure of your foot and activates two servo motors, which apply tension to the laces, tightening the shoe. A touch switch reverses the servos.
Due to budget constraints, I only modified one shoe. Where did I put that darn sports almanac?!
Since these power lace-up shoes are not commercially available, you'll need to make your own. See the necessary DIY instructions at Auto Lacing Shoe. Step into these links for additional powered pedal extremities:
- Russian Power Boots Can Use Biofuels
The video proves it. How much pep? Twenty-five miles per hour and strides of up to twelve feet. - Poweriser: Extreme Sports Gear from The Diamond Age
This product was first developed in Germany, possibly for professional acrobatic entertainers. - Motosk8 Powered Boots
It's an inline skate with a 22.5 cc two-stroke gas motor attached. Hugo Gernsback would be proud.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 7/5/2010)
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