Smart shoes

Shoes with motorized wheels could revolutionize the manner in which gamers walk through VR worlds. Currently being developed by UK/US startup Freeaim, the clever kicks are essentially little wearable treadmills.

Manufactured by Austrian startup Tec-Innovation, the InnoMake shoe uses ultrasound sensors to warn blind users of obstacles in their path. The footwear may soon become even more capable, though, thanks to integrated cameras.

This year's "Innovation Award" winner in the wearable technology category at CES 2020 is a set of intelligent shoe soles that can pop out little pads on the bottom for extra grip in the loose stuff or more cushioning when you need it.

​Computer hardware has changed quite a bit in the three decades since Puma introduced its original RS-Computer running shoe. The relaunched version carries over a distinctly retro aesthetic, but with a few choice upgrades to equip the wearable for the internet age.

European airline easyJet has made getting around the continent easier and cheaper, and now it's given wings to an idea that would make it easier for its passengers to get around when they reach their destination. Its new "Sneakairs" prototype smart shoes vibrate to provide wearers with directions.

CES is full of products claiming to be the world's first something. Make the description specific enough and you can be the first anything. Well, today at CES Unveiled we stumbled upon a company claming to have the world's first, ahem, smart shoe.

Lenovo has used its first global technology event to imagine a not-too-distant future where you can gauge somebody's mood by their footwear, smartphones cater to your PC needs and smartwatch screens are stretched to 20 times their size.