IIT Indore has created advanced shoes incorporating Tribo-Electric Nanogenerator (TENG) technology, which generates electricity from human motion and integrates GPS for real-time location tracking. These shoes, delivered to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), aim to enhance the safety and efficiency of armed forces personnel and have applications in various other fields.
Technology Overview
The shoes are powered by TENG technology, which converts kinetic energy from each step into electrical energy. This energy is stored in a device within the shoe’s sole, enabling it to power small electronic devices. Additionally, the shoes are equipped with GPS and RFID technologies for precise live location tracking.
Applications and Benefits
Military: The shoes are designed to improve safety and coordination among soldiers by providing real-time location data and power for essential devices.
Sports: They offer the ability to analyze athletes’ movements, potentially enhancing performance.
Other Uses: Beyond the military and sports, these shoes can be beneficial for monitoring senior citizens with Alzheimer’s, tracking school children, and managing factory worker attendance.
Development and Delivery
The first batch of 10 pairs of these innovative shoes has been supplied to DRDO. The project is led by Professor Suhas Joshi and guided by Professor I A Palani at IIT Indore.