In
the space between somewhat practical vehicles like the Segway and
completely fad-driven curios like the Tamagotchi, there exists a middle
ground of outlandish gadget that almost seems to make sense, but is
weird enough that you might be too embarrassed to use it in public.
It's
still early days, but that appears to be the case with Acton's
RocketSkates, which look like a joint creation by the art departments of
Judge Dredd and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Offering to
motorize your feet, they are a recent Kickstarter success story. And
depending on your temperament, the RocketSkates either look like a
glimpse at the future, or an expensive prank.
Do
they work as described? A demonstration video indicates that, yes, you
can use the RocketSkates to traverse the city at fairly rapid speeds.
But there are limitations.
The
skates, powered by lithium-ion battery packs, come in three
configurations with varying limits of usage: Rocket Red at 45 minutes
(or 6 miles), Terminator Chrome at 70 minutes (or 8 miles) and Deep
Space Black, which lasts for 90 minutes (or 10 miles).
Each
skate is equipped with two hub motors and an on-board microprocessor,
so they can synchronize with each other to maintain the same speed.
Perhaps the most innovative aspect of the RocketSkates is the fact that
no remote control is needed: To speed up, tilt your feet forward; to
slow down, tilt your heels back. Additionally, you can monitor the
status of the skates, and track your routes, using an accompanying app
for iOS and Android.
The
exact price of the RocketSkates isn't made clear on the company's
website or its campaign page, but based on the early-bird price and
discount for the lowest tier of the device, it likely retails for around
$500 a pair.
Another
benefit of the RocketSkates over traditional skates is that you can
more easily walk up steps, although the videos showing this process make
the wearer look pretty graceless.
The
demo video, which aims to show how fun the skates can be, also brings
to mind the possibility of leg and knee injuries. Sure, the device works
on a perfectly smooth surface, but what if you're traveling through the
city at a fairly rapid clip, and hit a damaged piece of pavement?
Unlike
a bike or even a skateboard, you won't be able to hop off when hitting a
bad patch of road. Veteran joggers, propelled by their own power, know
that even landing awkwardly on a slightly damaged surface can cause knee
problems — adding motorized power to the same scenario would likely
cause problems.
Even
the human-powered Heelys, sneakers with embedded wheels you've probably
seen on children, suffered backlash during the height of its popularity
in the 2000s, as some criticized the product's safety. In 2007, a group
of doctors published a study investigating the potential
orthopedic-injury hazards of Heely use among children. That same year, a
UK town made headlines when it banned the device for being too
dangerous.
Despite
the RocketSkates' seeming impracticality, potential hazards and odd
look, it's important to note that recreational devices like rollerblades
and the Razor scooter were once laughed off, only to later become
hugely successful in certain segments of the market.
And
based on the RocketSkates' Kickstarter campaign, the public is clearly
interested. Acton originally sought $50,000 to produce the product, but
as of this writing, the company has already raised over $455,000 — nine
times its original goal.
Posted by : Gizmeon
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