Shift Robotics Moonwalkers Dusk learns walking rhythm

Shift Robotics has introduced Moonwalkers Dusk, its lightest motorized shoe, which the company says adapts to an individual user by learning their gait and rhythm after ten steps.

The Dusk departs from earlier generations by tailoring its physical structure directly to the wearer’s foot size and by using on-device artificial intelligence to detect step cadence and style. Shift Robotics says the system learns a user’s rhythm within roughly ten steps, allowing the shoes to adjust assistance to the individual’s gait.

Shift equips the shoes with a proprietary movement system marketed as S.E.N.S.A. According to the company, S.E.N.S.A. performs intent detection in real time, distinguishing walking, running and jumping, and varying the level of mechanical assistance in response to changes in slope.

The company will publish a redesigned version of its app in late October (Aban). Shift says the app will present detailed movement metrics collected by the shoes, including force symmetry, step rhythm and propulsion efficiency.

On the hardware side, a redesigned two-dimensional flexible hinge is intended to support more natural ankle rotation. Air channels placed alongside the tabless batteries are said to help keep power delivery stable across a temperature range from 35 degrees Celsius down to 18 degrees Celsius. Tabless batteries refers to cells without external tabs between the cell body and terminals.

Moonwalkers Dusk will be offered in three sizes with an IP54 ingress protection rating. Each shoe weighs between 1.60 and 1.95 kilograms. Shift states the shoes support users up to 100 kilograms and, on a 90-minute charge, can reach a top speed of 11 kilometers per hour. The product will be sold in three colors with an official price of $1,199.