For those hoping for flying cars and jetpacks, a new product is launching at the Consumer Electronics Show that is a huge step for personal mobility: motorized skates that let you zip around at up to 10 mph.
SpnKiX by Action Inc. turns any pair of sneakers into wearable skates. The battery-powered motorized skates strap right onto shoes and are hand-controlled by a wireless remote, which controls both feet at one time. The remote straps to the user’s hand to help control the speed.
Although it can go up to a slick 10 mph, spnKiX also comes with removable training wheels. The skates are recommended for ages 16 and up and those who weigh less than 180 pounds.
However, these robot skates are unlikely to become a main way to get around for now -- the lithium battery only lasts about two to three miles. The good news is that the battery is rechargeable, but it does take up to three hours to fully recharge.
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Product designer Peter Treadway says he’s always been fascinated with the concept of personal mobility.
"It turns out motorized shoes are possible, thanks to smartphones, laptops and motorized control cars," Treadway says in an online video. "The technology that goes into those is now small enough that we can put them in a pair of shoes, so you can go for a spin."
SpnKiX is associated with Kickstarter, a crowdfunding platform that helps hundreds of projects raise money for production. To get the product off the ground, it sought to raise $25,000, but 182 backers have pledged $69,354 to support the concept and development.
These electric skates aren’t available just yet -- the first batch is expected to ship in March -- but they can be pre-ordered online for $375. The future price of spnKiX will be $649.
Shoe sizes that fit into spnKiX include men's size 6 through 14 and women size 7 through 15.5.