The High-Tech Shoes That 'Tickle' You Directions

Folks who bemoan society's increasing dependence on machines, get ready to throw your flip phones against the wall. Somebody has built a pair of sneakers that eliminate the need for any kind of map, as they nudge you toward a destination by gently tickling your toes.

Dhairya Dand's "SuperShoes" are not technically shoes but squishy, foldable insoles that fit into many kinds of footwear. Embedded in their jellylike flesh are microcontrollers, Bluetooth hardware, and "vibrotactile ticklers," which sound like something you might buy in a truck-stop bathroom but in fact are unique navigational devices. Enter where you want to go on your smartphone, and by buzzing either the left foot or right foot they'll eventually get you there. Additionally, you can enter likes and dislikes into software called "Shoe Central," and the intelligent footwear will guide you toward a favorite Indian restaurant, say, or away from a personal enemy. If they tickle constantly, that means you're near the site of an errand that's on your calendar.