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Urban Transport

Moonwalkers give users a powered boost as they walk

By Ben Coxworth
October 25, 2022
Moonwalkers give users a powered boost as they walk
The Moonwalkers are presently on Kickstarter
The Moonwalkers are presently on Kickstarter
View 4 Images
Moonwalkers come in one size, that should fit US shoe sizes ranging from 9 to 12 for men and 10.5 to 13.5 for women – the maximum user weight is 220 lb (100 kg)
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Moonwalkers come in one size, that should fit US shoe sizes ranging from 9 to 12 for men and 10.5 to 13.5 for women – the maximum user weight is 220 lb (100 kg)
A foot gesture allows users to switch between Shift and Lock modes
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A foot gesture allows users to switch between Shift and Lock modes
In Lock mode, users can safely perform activities such as climbing stairs
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In Lock mode, users can safely perform activities such as climbing stairs
The Moonwalkers are presently on Kickstarter
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The Moonwalkers are presently on Kickstarter
View gallery - 4 images

Although they may look like just another set of strap-on electric roller skates, the Moonwalkers are actually a bit different. You walk as you're wearing them, with their motorized wheels increasing your walking speed by a claimed 250 percent.

Designed by Carnegie Mellon University spinoff company Shift Robotics, the Moonwalkers are currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. They can reportedly be attached to a wide variety of shoes, utilizing their adjustable straps and quick-release magnetic buckles.

As the wearer walks, a 300W brushless motor in each 4.2-lb (1.9-kg) Moonwalker spins up the device's eight polyurethane wheels, providing a sensation sort of like walking on a "moving sidewalk" in an airport. Sensors in both Moonwalkers continuously communicate with one another, utilizing machine-learning-based algorithms to monitor the user's gait – the faster or slower that person walks, the faster or slower the wheels will go.

That said, wearers can reportedly decelerate from the 7-mph (11-km/h) top speed to a full stop within a distance of less than 1 meter (3.3 ft). Additionally, the Moonwalkers regulate their wheel speed when heading downhill, so users won't go careening out of control.

Moonwalkers come in one size, that should fit US shoe sizes ranging from 9 to 12 for men and 10.5 to 13.5 for women – the maximum user weight is 220 lb (100 kg)
Moonwalkers come in one size, that should fit US shoe sizes ranging from 9 to 12 for men and 10.5 to 13.5 for women – the maximum user weight is 220 lb (100 kg)

Each unit has a hinge behind the toe section, allowing it to flex like a shoe at the end of each stride – so, walking while wearing the Moonwalkers shouldn't be like walking in rigid downhill ski boots. Additionally, utilizing simple foot movements, it's possible to switch between Shift and Lock modes.

In Shift, the wheels are free to spin as the user walks. In Lock, however, they remain locked in place. This means that the user can do things like climbing stairs or even just standing in one place, without worrying about their feet rolling out from underneath them.

In Lock mode, users can safely perform activities such as climbing stairs
In Lock mode, users can safely perform activities such as climbing stairs

One 1.5-hour charge of each unit's lithium-ion battery is claimed to be good for a range of approximately 6 miles (9.7 km), depending on factors such as walking speed and terrain.

Assuming everything goes according to plan, a pledge of US$899 will get you a pair of Moonwalkers – the planned retail price is $1,399. You can see them in action, in the video below.

Moonwalkers - the world's fastest shoes

Sources: Kickstarter, Shift Robotics

View gallery - 4 images

Tags

Urban Transportroller skatesWalkKickstarterCarnegie Mellon
10 comments
Ben Coxworth
Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.

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10 comments
Spud Murphy
Cool concept and implementation, but the whole idea of walking is to expend some effort. These will just make walking into a non-exercise, and are not going to help the health of the average walker. Of course, if they get people out of cars and into walking, that's a net benefit, but unlikely - car users will keep using cars for many reasons, including bad weather, travel distances, and lack of safe infrastructure for powered micromobility.

This also begs the question, will it be legal to use these on footpaths, given they are a powered device, or will antiquated laws like we have here in Australia require you to use these only on roads and shared paths?
Daishi
@Spud Murphy have you ever noticed people look at things like this and complain that it's not enough exercise but never seem to make the same complaint about cars? People will legit step over a mountain of people in cars to tell people on ebikes or stuff like this they are being too lazy. These things increase distance that can be reasonably bicycled or walked without relying on an automobile. When 99% of trips are done in cars should we really choose the few people not in a car to crap on for being lazy? No we should not. I like the idea.
Trylon
I had a similar but simpler idea some years back. Not motorized, but quad skates with roller clutches in the toe wheels so you could just shuffle along without having to lift your feet from the ground as in conventional skating. It could have increased travel speed without markedly increasing effort.
PhilippeHolthuizen
These… look like the actually work as promised! I’m amazed!

A concept like this is incredibly hard to pull off. But going on the video, it seems that these skates interact very well with our human locomotion. And they do fit the ‘last mile’ gap pretty well. My only grumble is the weight, at 2kg per shoe.

Motorized Heeley’s for grown-up kids, I’m all for it!
c w
@Spud

Do you mean hominid bipedal locomotion evolved as a means to energy or that walking was intelligently designed to expend energy?

People didn't develop the tendency to walk because it required less energy to do while watching for predators or carrying loads?
nameless minion
"..wearers can reportedly decelerate from the 7-mph (11-km/h) top speed to a full stop within a distance of less than 1 meter (3.3 ft)."
I use to run a lot. Runners do not ordinarily stop from 7-mph in 1 meter. Stopping from 7-mph in 1 meter will be pretty abrupt. I guess they didn't want to comment on the frequency of face plants.
Jinpa
Think of using these in any airport, like Orly, O'Hare or Atlanta, where terminals are quite far apart. That would be a real help. But at 8.4 lbs for a pair, the luggage penalty would be substantial. Try carrying a pair of 4# sugar bags for a convenient comparison. And the price is in the rich kid's novelty range. Wheels that small would transmit quite a bang for every sidewalk-slab gap. Can't see the Army or Marines allowing them, and even if they did, sand and water might make the working life rather short.
Adrian Akau
Must wear full padding to protect against falls.
MarylandUSA
I guess it's strictly for walking alone. If you're walking with someone else, you're not gonna zoom ahead and wait.
Rustgecko
I note they didn't have just an ordinary untrained person using them. Secondly, $1,300 retail is a hard ask. Nothing about the batteries and life time of the product.