Alphabet-owned Google has introduced what many might consider a fashion disaster for women: shoes that inform you when you’re gaining weight.
These cutting-edge sneakers are equipped with built-in sensors that measure the wearer’s weight and track changes each time they are put on.
If the system detects that the user is adding pounds, the intelligent footwear sends a notification to their smartphone to alert them.
Beyond weight monitoring, the trainers could also identify underlying medical conditions linked to rapid weight loss or gain, while assisting people trying to shed excess fat.
Researchers at Google’s parent firm Alphabet are additionally developing versions capable of sensing when someone falls.
The shoes would send warnings to users’ phones (Image: Getty)
Targeted at older adults and those with fragile health, experts at Alphabet’s healthcare unit Verily are designing footwear that can notify family members or caregivers if the wearer experiences a fall.
Prototypes have been shown to potential partners in private meetings, but the company remains secretive about the initiative.
Tech news site TechRadar commented: “This gives a fascinating glimpse into where the industry is heading.
“Future wearables may be integrated directly into our clothes, not merely tracking basic movement and fitness metrics, but also making smarter use of that information—spotting potential health concerns that require attention.
“Smart shoes could catch sudden weight increases that might otherwise go unnoticed.”
These shoes can count steps and track overall wellness (Image: Getty)
Verily is also developing smart contact lenses that identify vision decline and a spoon that minimizes hand tremors for individuals with movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, making meals less challenging.
Details of this latest wearable emerge as sportswear companies Nike and Puma have revealed plans to launch futuristic self-lacing sneakers.
Nike’s Adapt BB footwear goes on sale in stores and online starting February 17 at roughly £270, while Puma’s Fit Intelligence (FI) shoes, priced at £254, won’t be available until spring 2020.
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