Wearables

"No Place Like Home" GPS shoes inspired by The Wizard of Oz

"No Place Like Home" GPS shoes inspired by The Wizard of Oz
Uploading of a home destination can be achieved with the use of custom-made mapping software, via USB cable
Uploading of a home destination can be achieved with the use of custom-made mapping software, via USB cable
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The shoes are controlled by dual Arduino microcontrollers
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The shoes are controlled by dual Arduino microcontrollers
The soles of the bespoke shoes features an illustration etched-on
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The soles of the bespoke shoes features an illustration etched-on
The red tag visible on the left shoe contains the GPS antenna, pointing upwards
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The red tag visible on the left shoe contains the GPS antenna, pointing upwards
The line of LEDs shown on the left display the length of journey remaining, while direction is highlighted on the right
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The line of LEDs shown on the left display the length of journey remaining, while direction is highlighted on the right
To create the GPS shoes, Wilcox teamed up with interactive arts and technology expert Becky Stewart and shoe maker Stamp Shoes
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To create the GPS shoes, Wilcox teamed up with interactive arts and technology expert Becky Stewart and shoe maker Stamp Shoes
Uploading of a home destination can be achieved with the use of custom-made mapping software, via USB cable
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Uploading of a home destination can be achieved with the use of custom-made mapping software, via USB cable
Integrated LED lights both point toward the correct direction, and display a progress bar to show how much of the journey remains
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Integrated LED lights both point toward the correct direction, and display a progress bar to show how much of the journey remains
The shoes are controlled by dual Arduino microcontrollers
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The shoes are controlled by dual Arduino microcontrollers
The soles of the bespoke shoes features an illustration etched-on
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The soles of the bespoke shoes features an illustration etched-on
Uploading of a home destination can be achieved with the use of custom-made mapping software, via USB cable
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Uploading of a home destination can be achieved with the use of custom-made mapping software, via USB cable
To create the GPS shoes, Wilcox teamed up with interactive arts and technology expert Becky Stewart and shoe maker Stamp Shoes
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To create the GPS shoes, Wilcox teamed up with interactive arts and technology expert Becky Stewart and shoe maker Stamp Shoes
View gallery - 11 images

British designer Dominic Wilcox has created a pair of prototype shoes which offer to guide the wearer home with built-in GPS navigation. The inspiration for the clever footwear derives from The Wizard of Oz character Dorothy’s red shoes, which famously transported her home with a click of her heels. Naturally, the GPS system within Wilcox’s shoes is also activated by clicking the heels together.

The shoes, named No Place Like Home, were commissioned by the Global Footprint project in Northamptonshire, which seeks to highlight the county's rich history of shoe making. In order to construct his design, Wilcox teamed up with interactive arts and technology expert Becky Stewart and Northamptonshire shoe maker Stamp Shoes.

The red tag visible on the left shoe contains the GPS antenna, pointing upwards
The red tag visible on the left shoe contains the GPS antenna, pointing upwards

A GPS unit contained within the heel of the left shoe communicates wirelessly with the right shoe and provides data to the integrated LED lights – which display both the correct direction home, and how much of the journey still remains.

A new home destination can be added via USB connection to a computer running purpose-made mapping software, while a magnet in the right shoe and a sensor in the left detect when the heels are clicked together. The internal hardware is controlled by dual Arduino micro-controllers, and power is provided by a cellphone-like battery pack.

The short film below explains the concept behind the No Place Like Home shoes in further detail.

Source: Dominic Wilcox via, Mashable

No Place Like Home

View gallery - 11 images
2 comments
2 comments
TLW
Now drunks can find their way home from the pub.
MBadgero
Good idea, but don't try to get through airport security while wearing them. In the X-ray they will look like electronics for a bomb.