Apple Patents 'Smart Shoe', Alerts You When It's Worn Down

Sensor would detect and record a wearer's usage habits.

Apple has been granted a patent of a smart shoe concept, which would see chip-equipped shoes alerting wearers when it's worn down.

The patent is titled as "Shoe wear-out sensor, body-bar sensing system, unitless activity assessment and associated methods" and was filed back in the July of 2012, with authorities recently granting it to the Cupertino firm.

Apple's filing states that it would integrate a sensor and processor in the heel of a shoe, with wearers being alerted when the shoe itself is worn out and needs to be replaced.

The sensor would detect and record a wearer's usage habits; for example, if a wearer ran 500 miles, the technology would track the distance and how hard one is hitting the ground.

Other activities alongside running can also be detected including weight lifting. The smart shoe would utilize pressure sensors to adequately determine when the shoe's sole is worn out.

A worn out shoe would send an alert by utilizing either a batch of LED lights or through a wireless transmitter to an external display such as a smartphone.

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Top Comments

33

IAmVortigaunt , January 28, 2013 11:14 AM

Next patent: a chip you implant in your stomach that sends a text message to your phone when you're hungry.
32

fearless1333 , January 28, 2013 11:06 AM

Alternate "Poor Man's" way: Look at your shoes with your eyes. Low tech but it works really well. Who knew?
32

stickmansam , January 28, 2013 11:06 AM

seriously people..... are we that out of good ideas....

Other Comments

21

junger , January 28, 2013 11:02 AM

WAT
32

stickmansam , January 28, 2013 11:06 AM

seriously people..... are we that out of good ideas....
32

fearless1333 , January 28, 2013 11:06 AM

Alternate "Poor Man's" way: Look at your shoes with your eyes. Low tech but it works really well. Who knew?
16

SR-71 Blackbird , January 28, 2013 11:09 AM

Next great thing.Steve would be proud....lol
33

IAmVortigaunt , January 28, 2013 11:14 AM

Next patent: a chip you implant in your stomach that sends a text message to your phone when you're hungry.
10

digiex , January 28, 2013 11:23 AM

Apple is really going down to the soles of my shoe.
11

jupiter optimus maximus , January 28, 2013 11:25 AM

This is just in! Apple patent the poop machine. It may look like a toilet, but its actually a nutrient dispenser for bacterias to chew on. You need to clean it once in awhile or methane gases will cause you nausea and vomiting.
14

Cons29 , January 28, 2013 11:27 AM

lights? someone please sue apple, how long has it been since KIDS have lights on the shoes?

seriously, those who can buy this probably buy shoes long before they are worn out, and those that are not would probably just use their eyes
20

Chairman Ray , January 28, 2013 11:29 AM

At this rate, they're going to patent the iToilet, which tells you if you took a piss or a shit, because people will be too lazy to check for themselves.
5

jupiter optimus maximus , January 28, 2013 11:40 AM

chairman rayAt this rate, they're going to patent the iToilet, which tells you if you took a piss or a shit, because people will be too lazy to check for themselves.

The Japanese got this covered, along with other ideas:
http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-6-most-terrifying-features-japanese-toilets/
16

twelve25 , January 28, 2013 11:50 AM

Ingenious way to get people to buy shoes they don't need. "I know they still look new, but the wear sensor says it's time for a new pair'.
3

memadmax , January 28, 2013 11:51 AM

stickmansamseriously people..... are we that out of good ideas....

Pretty close actually...

Most "new" ideas only exist in the virtual/electronic world nowadays and have little bearing in the real world...

Yea, give me a thumbs down all you want, but when was the last time you saw something that was absolutely, fundamentally new in the past frickin forever?
8

maigo , January 28, 2013 11:54 AM

RLY, iShoes? I'm not buying them until I have matching iGlasses, iWatch, iShirt, iPants, iKeys, iWallet... iCould go on, but iLLstop.
9

A Bad Day , January 28, 2013 11:55 AM

fearless1333Alternate "Poor Man's" way: Look at your shoes with your eyes. Low tech but it works really well. Who knew?

And if it's damage, just use super glue.
-3

whatisupthere , January 28, 2013 12:09 PM

This is probably designed for runners. Runners often replace shoes every 300-500 miles. The shoes still look new but do not run as well. Using overused shoes for running can cause knee and ankle pain. It is often annoying to write down and keep track of a shoes mileage. It could also be useful for people with foot/ankle/gait problems.
5

Cons29 , January 28, 2013 12:10 PM

they should allow the shoes to use iMap to tell the owner where to go
3

darkavenger123 , January 28, 2013 12:25 PM

Let's see ...the smart shoe is going to cost twice the price of my dumb shoe?? I will just buy two dumb shoes and replace one when there's a hole in the sole. And i have twice the lifespan with a new shoe replacement halfway through. Winrar. Can i patent this algorithm???
10

esrever , January 28, 2013 12:39 PM

how can a company patent something that they have no plan of ever making?
7

darthvidor , January 28, 2013 12:54 PM

Prepare to be sued when you use non-apple shoes and decide when they get worn out.
3

emad_ramlawi , January 28, 2013 12:56 PM

I sware there dumbing us down ...

Sadly the new generations that wake up with an Apple Ishoe can buy this shit and think its better for them .....

There is great article written by Nick in Fudzilla to talk more about this phenomena :

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