The Nasa ForceShoe takes wearable fitness trackers to a cosmic level. Resembling a pair of high-tech Birkenstock sandals, they are meant to be worn by astronauts in space in order to more accurately obtain useful information about their exercising habits and statistics. Honing in on load-bearing workouts in particular such as squats, deadlifts and bicep curls, the Nasa ForceShoe measures its effects on these astronauts.
According to Dvice, the data garnered from the Nasa ForceShoe is valuable as the possibility of traveling to other planets, namely Mars, becomes increasingly possible: "Astronauts on such exploration missions will need very specific training and strengthening programs to maintain bone and muscle mass, but they’ll also need strength to move on planets’ surfaces after spending a long time in microgravity." The data can also be applied to Earth.
Load-Bearing Footwear Monitors
The Nasa ForceShoe Provides More Accurate Data from Astronauts
Trend Themes
1. Load-bearing Wearable Technology - The Nasa ForceShoe provides an opportunity to develop load-bearing wearable technology for athletes and industrial workers.
2. Exergaming - The Nasa ForceShoe's focus on load-bearing exercises provides potential for exergaming technology with a focus on weightlifting and other resistance exercises.
3. Space Fitness Monitoring - The Nasa ForceShoe's space application opens the door for space fitness monitoring technology that can enable astronauts to better maintain bone and muscle mass.
Industry Implications
1. Fitness Technology - The Nasa ForceShoe's focus on monitoring exercise can disrupt the fitness technology industry and open the door for intelligent workout solutions.
2. Industrial Safety - The Nasa ForceShoe's ability to monitor load-bearing activities can be beneficial to industrial workers who engage in manual labour and can lead to the development of smarter safety gear.
3. Space Exploration - The Nasa ForceShoe's space application paves the way for advances in space exploration and how we develop new technology for astronauts to monitor their body condition and exercise in outer space.