RocketSkates Bring Motors To Your Feet

Skateboards, bicycles, even scooters — all valid ways to get around, but none quite as eye-catching as the RocketSkates, a Kickstarter effort that has hit its funding goal and promises to shuttle you around town using nothing but your feet.

The ACTON R RocketSkates are basically small Segways for your feet, fitting over your shoes with electric motors and relatively big wheels. The motors are controlled with an integrated microprocessor, and get their power from Lithium-ion batteries. There's also a wireless communication between a pair of skates to make sure they operate in unison.

Joining the skates is an accompanying ACTON App, which provides mobile access to skate data, performance, routes, battery status, and more. The RocketSkates are controlled by tilting one's foot forward and backward to control acceleration.

For those times you don't want to wheel around but want to keep the skates on your feet, the device is designed to offer "walkability", allowing wearers to go up stairs or in shops, for example. There's kick-to-start to get back to skating.

Shipping in the US is slated for October; it appears a pair of the skates will be retailing for at least $499 USD.

SOURCE: Kickstarter