Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
We don't have enough art & classy shit around here.

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                                     

Backup Shoe Beeper

 Shoe Backup Beeper
  (+15, -2)(+15, -2)
(+15, -2) 		  [vote for,
against]

This shoe insert collects energy from a normal gait, which in forward is a heel-toe sequence. Pressure detectors in the insole can determine a backward step (toe-heel sequence) and issue a standard ear-piercing BEEP-BEEP-BEEP like those irritating trucks in reverse. This would have the potential to prevent tragic sidewalk and hallway collisions caused by people walking carelessly in reverse.
—molecat, Jan 06 2007

Backward walking endorsed by scientists http://latimesblogs...-study-publish.html
Researchers say backward walking helps clear thinking. [molecat, May 11 2009]

Thesis on the subject of Gait predicition http://alexandria.t...xtra2/200513195.pdf
noteworthy: p.22: 'the three rockers of the foot' [loonquawl, May 13 2009]

Please log in.
If you're not logged in, you can see what this page looks like, but you will not be able to add anything.
Short name, e.g., Bob's Coffee
Destination URL. E.g., https://www.coffee.com/
Description (displayed with the short name and URL.)






       [admin: You've accidentally named your idea after the category it's in. To fix it, find the "Name:" field (below the text of the idea) in your logged-in view of it, change the name to something a little more describtive, then click "OK".]
—jutta, Jan 06 2007
   

       It beeps with only 1 step back? A lot of people step backward when they are simply adjusting their stationary position. Then what? Frantic beeping for nothing?
—flynn, Jan 06 2007
   

       This would simply be awesome. [+]
—acurafan07, Jan 06 2007
   

       *do* people walk backwards *that* much?
—po, Jan 06 2007
   

       Yes, when they're carrying sofas
—BunsenHoneydew, Jan 07 2007
   

       hee hee.
—po, Jan 07 2007
   

       //*do* people walk backwards *that* much//   

       It happens often enough for it to be one of my pet peeves.
—nomocrow, Jan 08 2007
   

       But let us say that you happened to be walking backwards for no particular reason. You are more likely to collide with someone before they could hear the first beep. And by the time they heard it, they wouldnt be able to move fast enough. Besides, isn't the burden of not bumping into someone on the walker himself and not the person standing behind him.
—Jscotty, Jan 08 2007
   

       This is sooooo halfbakerish! BEEP BEEP BEEP! +++
—blissmiss, Jan 08 2007
   

       Excellent thought!
—DrCurry, Jan 08 2007
   

       Love it [+]
—energy guy, Jan 10 2007
   

       this could be extended to the whole array of lights & sounds ususal in a car. Most movements are predictable from the current gait (if they are predictable to the walker), so changing direction and impeding deceleration could both be signalled. Additionally, unusual dragging of feet could elicit a daydream-walk-warning.
—loonquawl, May 11 2009
   

       I like this even better today. And I loved it a whole bunch before.
—blissmiss, May 11 2009
   

       Running is not Heel-toe.
—MikeD, May 11 2009
   

       I usually make the sound myself. [+]
—tommyato, May 11 2009
   

       [link] (careful - 16MB) for thesis on measuring pressure on sole to predict movement of walker. pretty fascinating stuff.
—loonquawl, May 13 2009
   


 

back: main index
business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle