Shift Robotics has launched a new version of its Moonwalkers shoes / motorized roller skates that claim to boost the speed of your natural walking gait.
The Moonwalkers robot shoes are back, and they’re lighter this time
These motorized roller skate frames have 10 fewer wheels than the original Moonwalkers and are more than a pound lighter.
These motorized roller skate frames have 10 fewer wheels than the original Moonwalkers and are more than a pound lighter.
is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid.
Unlike the first generation, there are six wheels instead of 10 on the Moonwalkers Aero, which the company says makes them lighter and quieter. That makes them similar to, but not the same as, the industrial-focused Moonwalkers X shoes it introduced earlier this year at CES.
Their top speed is still 7mph, but they’re over a pound lighter on each foot — 4.2 pounds compared to 5.3 pounds — thanks to a new “magnesium alloy powertrain.” The Aero are also 20dB quieter as a result of there being eight fewer wheels underfoot and a new “Neodymium magnet based motor.”
Despite a streamlined design, the new $1,199 Moonwalkers Aero are slightly more expensive than the originals, which are still available for $1,049.
The advertised average range on a full charge remains the same at around seven miles, but that will depend on the terrain, whether users are going uphill or downhill, and their size. The Moonwalkers Aeros can support users up to 220 pounds, and the company says the new version works more efficiently in hot environments with a longer range thanks to a new “thermal and regenerative management system.”
Shift Robotics says that “every visible part” on the Moonwalkers Aero is user-replaceable and that they’re designed to fit better with shoes ranging in size from a women’s six to a men’s 12, with a new optional spacer that’s available in two sizes.
The new Moonwalkers Aero are positioned as a better alternative to the originals for urban environments where their quieter design will be less likely to disturb others when worn into crowded spaces like stores or coffee shops. They also connect to a mobile app that includes preset modes for indoor, city, and sport, with a customization option letting users modify their acceleration profiles to their comfort level.
Correction, September 27th: An earlier version of this article said the Moonwalkers Aero are intended primarily for indoor use, based on information on Shift Robotics’ website that has been corrected. They’re designed for use both indoors and outside.
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