People that purchase several different kinds and colors of sneakers to make sure that their footwear matches the rest of their outfit may soon be saving a lot of money with ShiftWear.
ShiftWear are sneakers that feature colored e-paper displays at the sides, with wearers able to change what is displayed through the use of a mobile app.
The sneakers are currently the subject of an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, which at the time of writing has already raised nearly $40,000 from 171 backers with 23 days left in the campaign.
ShiftWear is not at all lacking in durability with the use of e-paper technology, as the creators of the footwear state that they can hold up to the elements. ShiftWear are waterproof, so they could be machine-washed, and the soles of the sneakers are protected by Kevlar Fibers for additional toughness against wear and tear.
The electronics in the sneakers charge up with every step that the wearer takes or wirelessly, thought that should not be much of a problem as the e-paper consumes such a minute amount of power.
ShiftWear will be available in a variety of styles, including low tops, medium tops and high tops, but the physical form is not what customers will be purchasing the sneakers for. The app for the sneakers allows users to display HD images on the e-paper areas of the shoes, and in addition to displaying static images and designs, users can also show animations on the ShiftWear. The creators noted, however, that if the design remains static, the sneaker will not be consuming any power at all and the design will be staying how it is until the user decides to change it.
The app for changing the displays of ShiftWear will also serve as a means to access designs created by artists from all over the world. Customers can purchase designs from the app and instantly have it on their feet.
The crowdfunding campaign listed a flexible goal of $25,000, which the campaign already reached. However, this will only ensure that the project will survive and continue with development. For mass production, the campaign will need to raise at least $250,000, but for a pledge of $150, backers can already grab a pair of ShiftWear L1s, which is the low-cut model.
