Snakeskin-inspired shoe sole design for increased grip

A few years ago, researchers at Harvard University relied on a snake skin structure to create a soft, flexible robot that could grip the ground to create forward thrust. And in a new experiment, this idea was once again applied but for objects closer to humans: shoe soles.

New style soles with diagonal cut-out structure similar to snakeskin surface.

Developed in collaboration with the MIT Institute, this shoe sole is basically a thin and flexible sheet of steel, with a concave, convex structure similar to that of a snake skin.

In Japan there is a paper-cutting art called kirigami and the metal "flap" structure of the sole is similar. When in a normal flat state, things are still smooth. As you move forward, however, the components of the foot that move cause the sole of the shoe to bend. At this point, the sharp scales will expand and pin to the ground, thereby significantly increasing the grip.

This idea, if applied in practice, is thought to be a useful solution to protect the safety of older people. According to researchers, falls are the leading cause of death for the elderly. Currently, scientists are looking for companies interested in this field to officially commercialize the aforementioned technology. Hopefully it will soon come true.