Shift Robotics has launched a new version of its Moonwalkers shoes/motorized roller skates designed to increase your natural walking speed.
Their top speed is still 7 mph, but they're over a pound lighter — 4.2 pounds compared to 5.3 pounds — thanks to a new “magnesium alloy drivetrain” on each foot. The Aero is also 20 dB quieter because it has eight fewer wheels underfoot and a new “neodymium magnet-based motor.”
Despite a streamlined design, the new Moonwalker Aero are slightly more expensive at $1,199 than the originals, which are still available for $1,049.
The claimed average range on a full charge remains unchanged at around 11 kilometers, but that depends on the terrain, whether the user is riding uphill or downhill, and their height. The Moonwalkers Aeros can carry users weighing up to 100 kilograms, and the company says the new version works more efficiently in hot environments and has a longer range thanks to a new “thermal and regenerative management system.”
Shift Robotics says that “every visible part” of the Moonwalkers Aero is user-replaceable and that they are designed to better fit shoe sizes ranging from women’s size 6 to men’s size 8, with a new optional spacer available in two sizes.
The original Moonwalkers are now positioned as a more rugged version, ideal for rough terrain with bumps and cracks, while the Aero is intended for indoor use, such as warehouses with smooth concrete floors. They also connect to a mobile app that includes preset modes for indoor, city and sport, with a customization option that allows users to adjust their acceleration profiles to suit their comfort level.