'Chameleon' smart shoes change colour at the touch of a button: App transforms the look of high heels using flexible displays
 Choosing shoes to match an outfit could soon be as simple - and cheap - as pressing a button on a smartphone. A startup has designed a range of footwear that changes colour and design thanks to flexible e-ink displays built into the sides. The range also has 'anchors' on the toe and heel so physical accessories can be added to the Volvorii Timeless smart shoes. At the moment, prototypes are only available in black and white, but other colours are expected to launch if the campaign receives enough funding. Each shoe has flexible e-ink displays on the left and right sides. Inside the shoe's sole is a Bluetooth receiver that connects these displays to a smartphone app. Patterns including polka dots, animal stripes and flowers can then be selected and 'sent' to the displays on the shoes. 'The Volvorii's clean, elegant, sturdy design brings gravitas, respect and formality in an unmistakable way,' said the campaign page. The shoe also has physical customisation options. On the top of the toe and back of the heel are anchors, to which the wearer can attach accessories - a flower or bow on the toe, for example, and an ankle strap on the back. They are made of rubber and leather in European sizes 36 to 40. A range of smaller and larger sizes are still in development. Another wireless module in the sole allows the shoe's display to be charged without cables. However, because e-ink requires so little power, it will only need to be charged 'between two and six months' at the most. So far, the iShuu team has created a working prototype as part of the Louis Vuitton Prize for young fashion designers, but now the team is hoping to turn the prototype into a final product. The team is offering the Volvorii Timeless shoes $249 (£167) from Indiegogo, but he retail price after the campaign ends has not yet been announced. The team is estimating a delivery date of December this year. It is hoping to raise $50,000 (£33,600) by the 12 April and has so far raised more than $21,400 (£14,300). |
