Now let your tootsies do the walking… with technology!
April 26, 2010Have you ever thought: It’s great that I can use my iPhone in one hand, my PDA in the other, and still talk to people with my Bluetooth headset. Isn’t there some way I can get my lazy feet in on the action? Don’t look now, but you might be able to pretty soon.
A German company has recently unveiled the Multitoe. It’s a floor that recognizes a person’s shoe print, allows that person to use the computer with his/her feet. You can even type on a keyboard:
On the surface, this looks like a logical next “step” in technology. And it could mean all sorts of opporunities for gaming. Think of the virtual reality, role playing, first-person adventure, and home exercise games that could be developed where the user actually has to move in order to complete the task at hand (more than the Wii).
But I do have some questions.
Like how much money would it take to build or retrofit a room in order to use the Multitoe? And would I really want a room in my house that looks like the inside of a bank vault minus the safety deposit boxes and stacks of money?
Secondly, think about how tough it would be to keep the computer clean. Would I have to buy a pair of shoes just for that room? Would it be better to use sneakers, or can I use bedroom slippers?
And last, but not least: While the Multitoe is undeniably cool, is anyone really going to want to use it for anything more than playing “Dance, Dance Revolution” or “Chopsticks” on the big floor keyboard like in Big?
For now, I’m skeptical. (Aren’t I always?) Unless people come up with some cool uses for the Multitoe, I think it might be a waste of money and research.
Aaron
That’s one of the oddest things I’ve heard of in awhile. Who would really use this and for what purpose? I get annoyed with my touch screen cell phone when I can’t hit the right letters. I can’t imagine getting a brain to feet connetion and letting my feet type out a message! I just don’t see a real need or purpose for this floor computer thing. —– But chopsticks is fun to play with your feet
Melissa
What in the world!? …yes, awesome for Dance, Dance Revolution instead of rolling out the mat…but beyond entertainment purposes I just don’t see this one making the big time! But time will tell, right?
Often times I think tech companies come up with these ideas just to get themselves noticed. Yes it is cool but it will probably never make it to market for the exact reasons you mentioned. However, could the same technology be repurposed for another use. If so, when the time comes, the company who invented it will be front-of-mind when it comes to redesigning it for something else.