Moonwalkers

2024: Moonwalkers X release

In early January 2024, robotic shoes for work in warehouses were presented. We are talking about a product called Moonwalkers X, which is developed by Shift Robotics.

The Moonwalkers X is an improved version of the original Moonwalkers model. The new product has improved maneuverability and traffic safety. This was made possible by the new ShiftOS 2.0 control system, which increased the smoothness of acceleration and braking, and also takes into account the characteristics of the user's gait.

Moonwalkers X

In addition, amortization has been improved to minimize the risk of injury, and the design has been redesigned with an emphasis on modularity and individualization.

The new version significantly reduced weight (almost per kilogram), improved maneuverability and safety. This shoe increases the speed of movement of a person from 5 to 11 km/h, and with its help to walk and 30 thousand steps per day, not very tired, the manufacturer claims.

According to the developers, one of the significant improvements of the new model is its adaptability to smaller shoes, which makes them attractive for commercial use, especially in the field of distribution, logistics and warehousing.

Shift Robotics CEO Xiongjie Zhang emphasized that the new transmission, magnesium alloy-based frame and shock-absorbing wheels in the Moonwalkers X allow for the best navigation of storage facilities. The company claims that the use of robotic shoes significantly increases the speed and efficiency of workers in these areas, saving up to 400 hours of working time per year.

Sales of Moonwalkers X will begin during 2024. The cost of shoes will be announced closer to the date of their entry into the market. The first Moonwalkers model cost €1,300.^[1]

2022: Device Exit

At the end of October 2022, it became known about the release of an unusual shoe accessory - a device called Moonwalkers, which allows you to significantly increase walking speed. The developer of Moonwalkers is Shift Robotics, founded by immigrants from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania, USA). Outwardly, the novelty resembles removable videos. Special platforms with small wheels can be fixed on almost any shoe using straps and quick-removable magnetic buckles.

Each of the two Moonwalkers sites is equipped with a 300 W brushless engine. It drives eight wheels of relatively small diameter, which are located in several lines. It is claimed that walking with this accessory feels like moving on a passenger conveyor - a moving stepless track. Unlike conventional roller skates, the user does not need to balance and balance.

Moonwalkers devices released to increase walking speed in any shoe

Sensors in both Moonwalkers constantly interact with each other: using machine learning algorithms, they track the user's gait and optimize the operation of electric motors accordingly. Walking speed can theoretically be increased by 250% from an average of 4-6 km/h, but a limit of 11 km/h is set. The distance to the full stop is less than 1 m.

A special hinge joint in the nose allows the pads to bend like ordinary shoes, which ensures comfort when wearing. With simple foot movements, you can switch between Shift and Lock modes. The first is designed for walking, and the second allows you to overcome stairs or simply stand still - in this case, the wheels remain blocked. The range on one charge of the batteries is about 10 km.

By the end of October 2022, you can place an order for Moonwalkers at a price of $1000, but in the future the cost will increase to $1400.^[2]

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