Adidas Launches The World’s First Intelligent Soccer Cleat
A revolutionary new product from Adidas has brought new meaning to the term “smart shoe”. Products such as Nike + iPod have allowed consumers to obtain information about their running workout through a special technology that involves a sensor in the shoe. These “smart shoes” provide statistics about the workouts, including duration of workout, distance traveled, and calories burned. The Adidas adizero f50 powered by miCoach, however, takes the intelligent footwear game to a whole new level.
“Football is faster than ever before and the need for speed has never been greater,” Adidas states in the official press release for the adizero f50 powered by miCoach. The shoe has been referred to by Adidas as the “football boot with a brain”. The 2011 adizero is the first ever “smart shoe” designed specifically for soccer performance. Powered by miCoach technology, the new adizero is the ultimate digital performance analysis device. This excerpt from Adidas’ press release on the product explains the technological features and capabilities of the adizero f50:
“The adizero f50 boot includes a cavity in the outsole unit which houses the revolutionary miCoach SPEED_CELL™. The miCoach SPEED_CELL™ captures 360° movement and measures key performance metrics including speed, average speed (recorded every second), maximum speed (recorded every five seconds), number of sprints, distance, distance at high intensity levels, steps and stride rates. The on-board memory stores all your measurements during your game or training for up to seven hours and then wirelessly transmits the on pitch performance data to your tablet, PC or MAC.”
The miCoach website provides a feature for users that allows them to create training plans online. When the user uploads their stats, the miCoach technology builds the stats into a personal coaching program created specifically for the individual user.
Once the player’s performance stats have been uploaded, they can be shared with friends on Facebook. Athletes with the shoe can then compare stats, and compete with each other. Athletes can even compare themselves to some of the best soccer players in the world as they upload their personal stats to the database, such as Leo Messi, who Adidas has announced will be participating.
Adidas has also announced that they will be taking the technology even further as a video game in 2012. The miCoach technology will allow users to compete online in the game, using their own real life skills through their performance stats from the shoe.
The new adizero f50 powered by miCoach will be available at Adidas retail outlets and specialist stores worldwide starting in November. The shoe is available for €210 (approximately $280 USD).
