Urban Transport

spnKiX motorized shoes edge closer to production

spnKiX motorized shoes edge closer to production
spnKiX are remotely controlled battery-powered motorized shoes up for pre-order via Kickstarter
spnKiX are remotely controlled battery-powered motorized shoes up for pre-order via Kickstarter
View 5 Images
spnKiX are remotely controlled battery-powered motorized shoes up for pre-order via Kickstarter
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spnKiX are remotely controlled battery-powered motorized shoes up for pre-order via Kickstarter
spnKiX come with a wireless remote control to adjust the speed
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spnKiX come with a wireless remote control to adjust the speed
spnKiX feature a battery good for up to 2-3 miles ride that requires 2-3 hours of charging
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spnKiX feature a battery good for up to 2-3 miles ride that requires 2-3 hours of charging
spnKiX have been developed by an LA-based company JPworks after five years of work
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spnKiX have been developed by an LA-based company JPworks after five years of work
spnKiX are recommended to be used by riders who are at least sixteen and weigh no more than 180lbs (81kg)
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spnKiX are recommended to be used by riders who are at least sixteen and weigh no more than 180lbs (81kg)
View gallery - 5 images

Peter Treadway's battery-powered motorized shoes - which we first spied as a concept in mid-2010 - are edging closer to production. Called spnKiX, these electric roller-skates have gone through more than thirty prototypes over a five year period to reach the final design and if all goes to plan they will hit the pavement in March 2012.

spnKiX feature a frame made of fiber reinforced nylon that the rider straps on while still wearing their normal shoes. Each "shoe" contains all the electronic parts - there's one in wheel motor and one battery pack for each foot. Gliding is controlled via a wireless handheld remote contro that comes with a simple switch to adjust the speed. There's also a little reflector located on the back of each shoe for safety.

spnKiX come with a wireless remote control to adjust the speed
spnKiX come with a wireless remote control to adjust the speed

Unless your workplace is close by, the shoes are unlikely to become your new commuting option though. The rechargeable lithium battery is good for only 2-3 miles ride and it takes 2-3 hours to recharge it. The maximum speed is quite impressive (and possibly even a little scary in some situations) at 10 mph. The maker recommends that the rider should be at least sixteen, weighing no more than 180lbs (81kg).

The spnKiX motorized shoes can be pre-ordered for the price of US$375 (the future retail price will be US$649). The first batch of 100 units is slated to be shipped by early March 2012, but this depends on whether the company gathers backing of US$25,000 at the time of writing the project has raised $13,000 with 42 days remaining to reach its goal.

View gallery - 5 images
18 comments
18 comments
Johnny De Vulcan
Flying car? Hover-Swift 3D-Traffic.Shoes are O.K. but how far can they run on a charge? -an you can only use them on asphalt.
Kelvin Onus-King
Imagine trying to hunt with these on....lmfbao
MrGadget
Can it go up hill? Go faster than roller skates? Other than the novelty, what is the practical use for it?
Max Fdez
Nice toy, but must ask if you have considered for an easy and unexpensive way to replace tire shoes for the wheels as they wear out, and a back-pack extra battery so you can extend millage, just seems obvious! Have you done it?
Joseph Shimandle
He needs to build in an external battery port into each shoe for an optional battery backpack to extend crusie range.
Thomas Roberts
Practical usage: Airport connecting flights
Nelson
HGow lazy can we get? And people wonder why we are so obese.
atul292
I see a lot of users fallign over and hurting themselves
Zero practicability !
Dawar Saify
As others have said, the shoe should be focused on motor and wheel design, the battery, it\'s charging and also wearer energy harvesting should be dealt with separately. Like a battery pack attached to the thighs like a holster. I believe that this thing can work powerfully and with good range within today\'s technology. Add downhill and breaking energy harvesting. It\'s future versions will have a good future and even world militaries will be interested.
SamD
Wouldn\'t take more than ten minutes to throw some turnigy LiPos in a backpack and power it up yourself. The inventor would do well to look at prior art from the ebike scene...
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