hEALTH
Health: Hi-tech shoe might just steal your running coach’s job
Sensors linked to an app that analyses runs give footwear a leg up, but personal trainers have the edge in the motivation stakes
Professional fearmongers have spent a lot of time convincing us that artificial intelligence (AI) is ushering us towards the unemployment line. In the next decades, AI will apparently make human truck drivers, stockbrokers, doctors and journalists redundant. Even creatives are not safe. Warner Music Group signed an algorithm to a record deal in March, so it is likely that soon ones and zeros will be just as responsible for chauffeuring you home after a few drinks as they will be for the song you yodel en route. The assumption is that technology is taking our jobs because it is better at it, but is that true? Cue the Under Armour Hovr Phantom, the shoe that’s stealing your running coach’s job. The basic mechanics of the shoe are simple enough. They’ve simply taken a comfy running shoe that fits like a sock and embedded a sensor in the sole that can be linked to an app. The idea of a running app is not groundbreaking; there are probably more running apps out there than loaves of...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.