Thats right currently at the University of Southern Denmark, inventor Shamees Aden is inventing living and breathing running shoes, and with any luck buying new running shoes will never be a problem again. The shoes are made of 3D printed protocells that can be combined to make a living organisms that will form to the users foot like a second skin. The shoes could respond to pressure exerted by the wearer in order to better cushion the foot. The shoes would save millions of dollars and not to mention would have a positive effect on the environment as after there use is over they would simply die and decompose. If you can get past the idea of wearing a living thing on you're foot this product may not be to shabby and its as easy as this; after a run you would simply take off you're shoe and treat it like any household plant by giving it water to take care of it.
Although this idea was released earlier this year at a convention in London Aden says that the shoes won't be completely possible for almost another 20 years at the pace they are going with the technology they have. However, count on seeing these "Living" shoes around at some point in the worlds future.
Really amazing, Jake. It's exciting to see what directions technology is beginning to head in. Just when you think they've thought of it all, something like this makes the news. Though 20 years seems far off, we won't even be 40 yet when these shoes could potentially hit markets. It really makes you think about what could be done with wearable technologies, considering what they can do with 3-D printing and a pair of shoes.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really good idea and it's crazy to think they now have the technology to come up with these things. Brands are constantly changing and updating shoes, but this is something totally different. It's a little creepy that the shoes are living organisms and when they're done you can treat them like houseplants, but at the same time it's cool that they will die and decompose.
ReplyDeleteI can see this technology evolving even further allowing "super human" strength and endurance. I don't think it will take as long as 20 years. Although it makes sense that it will take that long for this technology to hit public markets. Either way, this discovery seems very exciting for our future.
ReplyDeleteI cannot wrap my head around this and how someone would want to do this. Besides saving the environment, what's the point? I think this is just too weird for me to consider purchasing, even in 20 years.
ReplyDelete