These prototype sandals from NTT are quite possibly the most hideous pair of footwear I've ever seen... ever - and don't even get me started on the socks and sandals debacle. The electricity generating sandals are just a prototype, so there's still time to re-think their social outcast design (all I'm seeing now is a lot of pointing, staring an, jeers and taunts). A pair of shoes or trainers would have been a bit more practical (and attractive), but clearly the creator has a thing for geriatric-style open toe footwear. These are quite literally the epitome of power walking.
Unsightly design aside, the techy side of it is quite impressive. The sandals generate 1.2W as long as you keep up the pace - that's enough to charge an iPod. I know they've got a handmade DIY look about then and generally look unimpressive, but they're more hi-tech than they appear. The soles are water cushioned and each step you take shifts the liquid around and through mini turbines that generate electricity.
NTT is aiming to increase the wattage to 3W and perhaps add some kind of storage device too, but until they do something about that design, it's pretty safe to say these won't be in demand.
[via Tech Digest]
More prototypes here
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