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Transport

New Moonwalkers designed to get workers around a warehouse faster

By Paul Ridden
January 04, 2024
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Shift says that the Moonwalkers X "are specifically designed for business/commercial use, particularly those applications where employees walk a lot on-the-job, such as in the distribution, logistics, and warehouse marketplace"
Shift Robotics
Shift says that the Moonwalkers X "are specifically designed for business/commercial use, particularly those applications where employees walk a lot on-the-job, such as in the distribution, logistics, and warehouse marketplace"
Shift Robotics
The Moonwalkers X are reported, lighter, faster and smarter than the original robo-shoes
Shift Robotics

Shift Robotics aimed to get folks walking faster back in 2022, with a Kickstarter project for strap-on powered wheels called Moonwalkers. Now the Carnegie Mellon spinoff is launching a business-specific variant called the Moonwalkers X.

The new version has been designed specifically for indoor commercial use in distribution, logistics and warehouse settings, to benefit workers who might notch up 30,000 steps in a day. In fact, the current model has already been found to allow operatives to get around three times faster than by walking alone, while also potentially doubling productivity.

"I will not be surprised at all to see our business clients realize even greater results by deploying Moonwalkers X in their distribution centers, warehouses, logistics facilities, and retail locations," said Shift founder and CEO, Xunjie Zhang.

Though the design of the X flavor has been tweaked for "modularity and customization," the overall retro strap-on roller skates vibe remains. The new robo-shoes are lighter on the feet than the original Moonwalkers though – shedding a whole pound (0.45 kg) of heft for each shoe. A good proportion of that weight saving is doubtless due to the number of wheels going down from 10 to six.

The Moonwalkers X are reported, lighter, faster and smarter than the original robo-shoes
Shift Robotics

Shift reports that the revised overall design will accommodate smaller shoe sizes, and the new wheels are softer for improved shock absorption. The Moonwalkers X are also said to be quicker, though actual figures have not been revealed as yet.

The AI-powered control system has been completely overhauled based on insights from existing Moonwalkers users – for improved safety and maneuverability. The company promises more responsive acceleration and braking, as well as "refined gait detection to eliminate abrupt stops."

"Our revamped drivetrain, the magnesium alloy based frame, and the new shock absorbing wheels all come together to offer the smoothest, most efficient warehouse navigation ever," said Zhang.

The company expects the Moonwalkers X to be available before July this year, and has set aside a limited quantity for early adopters to snap up. Businesses interested in learning more can visit the Shift booth at CES 2024.

Pricing information has not been revealed at this time, but Shift reckons that the new robo-shoes are more expensive to produce than the originals, which will no doubt be reflected in the price tag.

Product page: Moonwalkers X

Tags

Transportroller skatesWalkCommercialMobilityAssistive Technologies
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Paul Ridden
While Paul is loath to reveal his age, he will admit to cutting his IT teeth on a TRS-80 (although he won't say which version). An obsessive fascination with computer technology blossomed from hobby into career before hopping over to France for 10 years, where he started work for New Atlas in 2009. Now back in his native Blighty, he serves as Managing Editor in Europe.
10 comments
YourAmazonOrder
They need to have hard toes to be allowed in some industrial warehouses. They also need to test these with obese, older workers who tend to have problems walking.
Rustgecko
At north of $1500 a pair, they’d better give a good increase of productivity. But what I wonder about is insurance. The risk of an accident will increase substantially.
kwalispecial
These things would be great when you are trying to catch a flight at the other end of the airport terminal.
Marco McClean
When I was little in the early 1960s my mother used to take me to Bob's Big Boy in Toluca Lake. You'd drive up and flash the lights, and angelic waitresses in short dresses would fly out of the shop on rollerskates, fit your window with a hook tray of glasses of icewater and a menu. They'd come back around, take your order, and then bring out your hamburgers and shakes and fries and salads, or whatever, all on heavy white ceramic plates balanced on their arms and shoulders. Rollerskates are the future, for sure.
Trylon
@YourAmazonOrder, these are obviously supposed to be strapped over existing steel toe shoes or boots.
wbm
useless, ROBOTS can do it faster :o)

and they dont need a doc by breaking their ancles . . .

and robots dont pay taxes )even that there should be tax for using machines against human workers

oh, another dark joke :P

(for the dark humors of the reading audience)
Jinpa
Powered how? Recharged how, and how fast? Dog-walkers won't like to be pulled off them when the dog(s) want to stop to sniff messages from other dogs. Nurses pulling 12-hour shifts might love them, though.
Tag
This isn’t a bad use case. Probably, not practical for everyday public use in an urban area, but in the right working environment I can now see some potential (although you could also use scooters or other mobility vehicles).
Dave222
$1500! For that you could build a good electric trolley with throttle and brakes and put a small flip down platform for the operator to stand on, instead of the lame trolley shown in the photo.
anthony88
Just have to geo-block them so they don't get you to go to the toilets for more that 30 seconds during an 8-hour shift.
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