Design Summary and Analysis (Final)

In the article “Smart Running Shoes: Will They Change The Way You Run”, Lin (2017) claims that the advancement of smart technology in running shoes can enhance the user’s performance. In 2012, popular sports brands such as UnderArmour (UA), released their UA Speedform Gemini 2 smart shoe which displays data such as muscle exhaustion, “cadence and pace” and monitor the “shoe’s mileage” through a mobile app, MapMyRun. According to Lin, in 2017, Altra smart shoes took it up a notch by not only making their footwear stylish, but also implementing sensors to detect irregular foot patterns and warn users through their “built-in” sole voice assistant to correct their footsteps and pacing. Lin also mentions that the voice assistant can prevent runners from any cumulative injury. On top of that, the shoes comprise of breathability and feathery features that enhance the user's comfort. In essence, smart running shoes have smart features that detect the runner’s foot pattern and provide feedback to reduce running related injuries. However, owning a pair of smart shoes is an excessive for the general consumers.  

Firstly, smart shoes may not be attractive enough for consumers. In order to make an impact in the running shoe industry, moreover, smart shoes need to stand out more to attract general consumers. For instance, Song (2019) mentions that a smartwatch which already had smart features that can track runners “distance, pace, splits, cadence and stride length.” Comparing this to a smart shoe with similar smart features, by looking at its popularity, the smart shoe will lose out. Smart shoe will need a more appealing technology that did not exist before such as adopting a new technology and implementing it into a shoe to benefit the runners (Alger, 2015). What consumer is looking for is the latest technology that can resolve their exigencies they need in their daily life which Alger hinted it could be happening in the future, but not up to this date.

Secondly, price plays a very important factor for general consumers. Heater (2017) comments that a higher tier of Altra smart shoe costs USD$220 and a lower tier one at about USD$150. This means that a smart shoe cost twice as expensive as a regular running shoe. Furthermore, Heater also states that runners are expected to change their running shoes several times in a calendar year as for frequent runners, their shoe soles will wear out quicker and eventually require a replacement. Thus, it is not budget friendly as runners are expected to change a new pair from time to time.

Even though runners have been worrying about the menace of injury all the time, owning a smart shoe would not necessarily prevent them from getting injured. Which Song then questions the need of smart shoe for runners who already knew the basic running techniques and do not need a replacement for the time being. Smart shoes can indeed assist in correcting runners foot pattern and reducing the prone to injuries, but because each individual have different running techniques, feedbacks from smart shoe cannot satisfy everyone’s standards. In addition, Ross (2007) claims how runners have been “eternally” facing injury issues and is unlikely that runner can simply adjust to a new running technique and reduce their prone to injuries. Hence, despite corrections by smart shoe, runners are still vulnerable to injuries. One will most likely able to reduce the risk of injuries from their running experiences and continuous training.

In conclusion, the future of smart shoes would be more constructive yet easy to use and mainstream to attract the vast majority. However, one key point is that smart shoes should have a perfect balance between price point and functions such that runners are getting what they paid for.  

Reference

Alger, K. (2015, August 25) The rise and fall of the smart shoe – and why they could be on the way back. Wareable. https://www.wareable.com/running/smart-shoes-875

 

Heater, B. (2017, April 16) Smart running shoes won’t make you faster, but they could help you avoid getting hurt. Tech Crunch. https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/15/altra-torin-iq/

 

Lin, N. (2017, September 20) Smart Running Shoes: Will They Change The Way You Run? Run Society. https://www.runsociety.com/opinions/smart-running-shoes-will-theychange-the-way-you-run/

 

Ross. (2007, September 24) Running technique – is there a ‘right’ way to run? Sports Scientists. https://sportsscientists.com/2007/09/running-technique-is-there-a-right-way-to-run/

 

Song, V. (2019, February 05) I Thought Under Armours' Smart Running Shoes Were Gonna Be Dumb as Hell, But I Was Wrong. Gizmodo. https://gizmodo.com/i-thought-under-armours-smart-sneakers-were-gonna-be-du-1832241172

Design Summary Analysis Draft 2

In the article “Smart Running Shoes: Will They Change The Way You Run”, Lin (2017) claims that the advancement of smart technology in running shoes can enhance user’s performance. In 2012, popular sports brand such as UnderArmour (UA) released their UA Speedform Gemini 2 smart shoe which can display data such as muscle exhaustion, “cadence and pace” and monitor the “shoe’s mileage” through a mobile app, MapMyRun. In 2017, Altra smart shoes took it up a notch by not only making their footwear stylish, but also implementing sensors that detect irregular foot patterns and warn users through their “built-in” sole voice assistant to correct their footsteps and pacing. Lin also mentions that the voice assistant can prevent runners from any cumulative injury. On top of that, the shoe compromises breathability and feathery features that enhance user's comfortability. Smart running shoes have smart features that detect runners foot pattern and provide feedback to make runners less prone to injury. However, for a runner to own smart shoe is inessential and there is a better option available in the market.

In the first place buying a smart shoe will never cross a general consumer’s mind due to little knowledge of the technology. Song (2019) mentions that “But if you’re a casual runner who knows the basics and your running shoes aren’t in dire need of replacement? Whatever you’ve got is probably fine.” As compared to normal running shoe, smart shoe is too pricey while featuring smart features which smart watch has currently in the market. A pair of smart shoe cost ranging USD$150 to USD$220 at least twice as expensive as a regular running shoe. However, for frequent runners their shoe soles will wear out quicker and thus required a replacement. Therefore, it is not budget friendly as runners are expected to change a new pair from time to time.

Runners have been fighting against the menace of injury constantly. Although smart shoes assist in correcting runners foot pattern allow runners less prone to injury, eventually everyone has different running style and from their experiences they can figure out their preferred technique to run. Ross (2008) from sportsscientists website claims “the prospect of simply ‘learning’ a new running technique which makes you faster and less injury prone is too good to be true”. Song (2019) comments that beginners whom have no clue about cadence or stride, investing in a smart running shoes might prevent them from injuries to a certain extent. In contrast, a regular runner whom is experienced and skilled with their running techniques can prevent common foot injuries.

A preferable choice would be smartwatch because in recent years smartwatch is growing in popularity and has made its mark. Song (2019) compares smart shoes with smartwatches such as “an Apple Watch, Garmin tracker, or Fitbit” and called them “not all that special” as both smart technologies have similar smart features which track “distance, pace, splits, cadence, and stride length”. Hence, having a smartwatch is a better option for runners to monitor their exercise statistics and achieving fitness goals.

Ross (2008) also states that “runners who ran in shoes costing more than $95 actually were twice as likely to get injured than runners who ran in shoes costing only $40!” which sounded contradicting how better shoes are causing the injuries. Due to smart shoe high cost and how frequently the shoes will be worn for running, it will eventually require a replacement and this result in exceeding budget. In addition, smart running shoes can reduce injuries with the feedback to correct runners foot pattern but sustaining to injury is inevitable. All in all, smart running shoe being able to change runner’s running method is highly controversial.

Reference

Lin, N. (2017, September 20) Smart Running Shoes: Will They Change The Way You Run? Run Society. https://www.runsociety.com/opinions/smart-running-shoes-will-theychange-the-way-you-run/

Song, V. (2019, February 05) I Thought Under Armours' Smart Running Shoes Were Gonna Be Dumb as Hell, But I Was Wrong. Gizmodo. https://gizmodo.com/i-thought-under-armours-smart-sneakers-were-gonna-be-du-1832241172

Ross. (2008, March 04) Running shoes: Solution or problem? Sports Scientists. https://sportsscientists.com/2008/03/running-shoes-solution-or-the-problem/

Design Summary Analysis Draft 1

In the article “Smart Running Shoes: Will They Change The Way You Run”, Lin (2017) claims that the advancement of smart technology in running shoes can enhance user’s performance. In 2012, popular sports brand such as UnderArmour (UA) released their UA Speedform Gemini 2 smart shoe which can display data such as muscle exhaustion, “cadence and pace” and monitor the “shoe’s mileage” through a mobile app, MapMyRun. In 2017, Altra smart shoes took it up a notch by not only making their footwear stylish, but also implementing sensors that detect irregular foot patterns and warn users through their “built-in” sole voice assistant to correct their footsteps and pacing. Lin also mentions that the voice assistant can encourage runners and avoid runners from any cumulative injury. On top of that, the shoe compromises breathability and feathery features that enhance user's comfortability. Smart running shoes have smart features that detect runners foot pattern and provide feedback to make runners less prone to injury. However, considering the price point on the higher end as compared to normal running shoes and it is unpopular option for general consumer to own a smart running shoe hence drifting consumer away.

Typically, purchasing a smart shoe will never cross a general consumer’s mind due to little knowledge of the technology. From Gizmodo website, Song mentions that “But if you’re a casual runner who knows the basics and your running shoes aren’t in dire need of replacement? Whatever you’ve got is probably fine.” Song compares smart shoes with smart watches such as “an Apple Watch, Garmin tracker, or Fitbit” and calls them “not all that special” as both smart technologies have same smart features which track “distance,

pace, splits, cadence, and stride length”. Also, by comparing a smart watch and a smart shoe lifespan, smart shoe is more likely to be replaced more frequent due to wear and tear from running.

As compared to normal running shoe, smart shoe is too pricey while featuring smart features which smart watch has currently in the market. A pair of smart shoe cost ranging USD$150 to USD$220 at least twice as expensive as a regular running shoe. For that price tag runners are getting what they paid for, the smart features. But for frequent runners, their shoe’s sole will wear out quicker and thus runners will have to replace them. From quartz website, Bain stated that a typical running shoe is expected to have a lifespan of “450 miles of use”. Therefore, it is not budget friendly as runners are expected to change a for a new pair from time to time.

Runners have been fighting against the menace of injury constantly. Although smart shoes assist in correcting runners foot pattern allow runners less prone to injury, eventually everyone has different running style and from their experiences they can figure out their preferred technique to run. Ross from sportsscientists website claims “the prospect of simply ‘learning’ a new running technique which makes you faster and less injury prone is too good to be true”. From Gizmodo website, Song comments that beginners whom have no clue about cadence or stride, investing in a smart running shoes might prevent them from injuries to a certain extent. In contrast, a regular runner whom is experienced and skilled with their running techniques can prevent common foot injuries.

Ross also mentioned that “runners who ran in shoes costing more than $95 actually were twice as likely to get injured than runners who ran in shoes costing only $40!” Due to its high cost and how frequently the shoes are worn for running, it will eventually require a replacement and this result in exceeding budget. In addition, smart running shoes can reduce injuries with the feedback to correct runners foot pattern but sustaining to injury is inevitable. All in all, smart running shoe being able to change runner’s running method is highly controversial.

Reference

Lin, N. (2017, 09 20) Smart Running Shoes: Will They Change The Way You Run? Retrieved and adapted from https://www.runsociety.com/opinions/smart-running-shoes-will-theychange-the-way-you-run/

Song, V. (2019, 02 05) I Thought Under Armours' Smart Running Shoes Were Gonna Be Dumb as Hell, But I Was Wrong Retrieved and adapted from

https://gizmodo.com/i-thought-under-armours-smart-sneakers-were-gonna-be-du-1832241172

Ross. (2008, 03 04) Running shoes: Solution or problem? Retrieved and adapted from https://sportsscientists.com/2008/03/running-shoes-solution-or-the-problem/