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Peter Treadway's motorized footwear
At first I thought "Motorized shoes? That just sounds dumb." Then I took a closer look at the Treadway Wearable Mobility project, an entry in the James Dyson Award competition, and realized how badly I wanted a pair of these:
Designed by RISD and Art Center grad Peter Treadway (nom de guerre?), the namesake shoes are meant to be a fun way to encourage people to travel on foot to a public transportation center. And while I think that's a bit of a stretch--I don't have much faith that that's what people would use these for--I greatly enjoyed seeing Treadway's tinkering process shots, and I could totally see these catching on. This project's got legs. Er, wheels.
Hit the jump to read Treadway's project description in full.
via gizmodoFunction
"Motorized shoes" is the short answer. They are lightweight, strap-on, wirelessly controlled (with a hand controller), lithium polymer battery powered, motorized shoe attachments. Treadways are worn on each foot and can be plugged in at any outlet to be recharged. They are designed specifically to traverse the Last Mile to facilitate access to public transportation and to be a more appropriate form of mobility for around town errands than a car would be. In a world where the default setting is "car", Treadways give people a reason to get outside to walk and roll.
Inspiration
In the "City Where No One Walks" cars are clogging up our streets. If every one of them were to be switched to electric, we would still have the same number of automobiles on the road. This is not just an LA problem. The fact is, cars simply make it easier to be flexible in one's travel plans. I noticed that many don't use public transportation because it is just slightly difficult to do so. I figured that if people really enjoyed getting to and from the local train station, they might step up. (One can still drive a car while wearing them.) It would have to be convenient, because convenience is one of the major motivating factors for change. Coolness is another... What was the other one??? Oh! Necessity.
Development
Over the past few years I've tried a lot of things; springs-in-your-shoes, tiny bicycles, folding scooters, until I realized that the solution needed to be utterly forgettable to the user. Something that would never have to be carried or left alone... something that young punks would find cool... something that would be exhilarating, but safer than most other forms of small transportation... that would maintain the natural center of gravity without raising the user up to where they might lose their balance. The solution turned out to be a strap-on device that would allow the wearer to both walk and roll, and transition twixt the two effortlessly. Treadways came about by using everything that was out there and then by building and using my own prototypes. BTW, I also have a background in fashion- I wanted this to be as usable as an article of clothing.
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Comments
Just eat donuts and roll along on a Treadway or Segway.
I totally agree that you'd get a workout from using these. The balance required to stabilize and direct these would use all your leg and core muscles.
Do they have the capability to freewheel?
I like the concept that you've got working with the boot. I think this concept shows the best potential for commercial viability.
For me the key for success of this product hinges on the folling:
- Product allows the user to wear almost any type of flat or small heel shoe.
- Product is easy to put on and take off.
- Product is compact and stackable/foldable for easy transportation in a backpack or briefcase.
- Product allows for use with minimal muscle strain. The downside to the 'boot concept' is that it relies on heavy use of the tibialis anterior. Extended use of this muscle would likely cause issues for the user preventing extended periods of use.
Great work. Also love the design process.
Best of luck
It is so interesting how I get comments about obesity as above, not because it isn't a legit concern- which it is, but because I also get comments that ask if one needs to be super athletic to even approach Treadways.
These aren't small Segways- the machine does not do all the work for you, you need to be engaged. Your body is PART of the structure; it must be in constant motion to maintain balance. As you would on a bicycle, you cover more ground than you would with walking but you will feel the burn if you spend enough time on them.
No one accuses skiers of avoiding exercise when they lazily take advantage of gravity to propel them.
The answers to these questions become evident when you try them yourself.