Smart shoes create electricity

An in-shoe component is designed to generate electricity from walking or running activities, providing power to the sensor or other electronics.

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The same is integrated in the shoe, a device that will generate energy when the heel of the person touches the ground. Meanwhile, the other device generates energy when the foot moves smoothly and moves forward like walking or running.

An energy receiver attached to the outside of the shoe, or shoe heel. (Photo: Kelvis Ylli / IOP Publishing)

"Both devices are based on the principle of electromagnetic induction , " said Klevis Ylli, a researcher with the German Institute for Computing and Information Technology. Each device contains a coil and stacked magnet layers. When a person walks or runs, the magnet moves and causes the magnetic field inside the rope to change. The magnetic field creates electricity inside the conductor. They can connect and power electronic components in the shoe.

The original receiver is 70mm long, 19.5mm wide and about 15mm high. It weighs only 25g, so the shoe will not feel the weight. The rest is bigger, weighs 150 grams and is developed with another application that provides power to the in-house navigation system (replacing the GPS navigation system). The sensor determines the movement speed of the human foot and from this data, the positioning system can calculate the path we have taken.

Device description is attached inside the shoe. (Photo: BBC)

According to recent test results, a person's walking motion produces enough energy for the operation of the temperature sensor (a shoe mount) and a wireless transmitter. This transmitter transmits data from the sensor to a smartphone.

In the future, scientists hope they can be used to create wearable or portable products without the need for a battery charger.