Source: Boltt
Makers of wearable tech for consumers are zeroing in on fitness. FitBit identified the opportunity early on. Apple, with its second-generation smartwatch, is clearly intent on driving sales by competing for share of the market. And yet, while the attention of wearables marketers has been concentrated on the wrists of users, a new “smart” shoe is promising to revolutionize the market.
Boltt, a startup out of India, is getting set to launch a new sneaker that combines sensors with artificial intelligence (AI) software designed to improve running and fitness levels by providing wearers with real time feedback.
Boltt unveiled a variety of new products at TechCrunch’s Silicon Valley Disrupt event this week, including the aforementioned smart shoes, as well as bands, a shoe pod sensor and wireless headsets. The company seeks to marry the data received from the devices with its AI Health Coach to provide wearers with the information they need to up their games, so-to-speak.
The company’s founder and CEO, Arnav Kishore, told NDTV, “Till now, all activity trackers and wearables gave data. We are conspiring to change that by inferring this data and giving it a meaning."
According to Statista, nearly 61 million people went jogging or running in the U.S. in the spring of 2015, up from roughly 46 million who did the same in spring of 2008.
Boltt partnered with Garmin for its expertise in wearable sensors in its project development. The company plans to begin taking pre-orders in October to be followed by a launch in 13 countries in November.