New Moonwalker robotic shoes help walkers speed everywhere
If people can walk and travel around warehouses faster they can get alot more work done, and companies love that.
Key takeaways
- Shift Robotics aimed to get folks walking faster back in 2022, with a Kickstarter project for strap-on powered wheels called Moonwalkers.
- The new version has been designed specifically for indoor commercial use in distribution, logistics, and warehouse settings, to benefit workers who might notch up 30,000 steps in a day.
- The new robo-shoes are lighter on the feet than the original Moonwalkers though, shedding a whole pound (0.45 kg) of heft for each shoe.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2024) 'New Moonwalker robotic shoes help walkers speed everywhere', 311 Institute, 19 April. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/new-moonwalker-robotic-shoes-help-warehouse-workers-speed-everywhere/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Shift Robotics aimed to get folks walking faster back in 2022, with a Kickstarter project for strap-on powered wheels called Moonwalkers. And now, in an attempt to get us all to walk faster and, in this case, make warehouses even more efficient, the Carnegie Mellon spinoff is launching a business-specific variant called the Moonwalkers X.
The new version has been designed specifically for indoor commercial use in distribution, logistics, and warehouse settings, to benefit workers who might notch up 30,000 steps in a day. In fact, the current model has already been found to allow operatives to get around three times faster than by walking alone, while also potentially doubling productivity.
The Future of Footwear, by keynote Matthew Griffin
"I will not be surprised at all to see our business clients realise even greater results by deploying Moonwalkers X in their distribution centers, warehouses, logistics facilities, and retail locations," said Shift founder and CEO, Xunjie Zhang.
Watch them in action
Though the design of the X flavor has been tweaked for "modularity and customisation," the overall retro strap-on roller skates vibe remains. The new robo-shoes are lighter on the feet than the original Moonwalkers though, shedding a whole pound (0.45 kg) of heft for each shoe. A good proportion of that weight saving is doubtless due to the number of wheels going down from 10 to six.
Shift reports that the revised overall design will accommodate smaller shoe sizes, and the new wheels are softer for improved shock absorption. The Moonwalkers X are also said to be quicker, though actual figures have not been revealed as yet.
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered control system has been completely overhauled based on insights from existing Moonwalkers users, for improved safety and manoeuvrability. The company promises more responsive acceleration and braking, as well as "refined gait detection to eliminate abrupt stops."
"Our revamped drivetrain, the magnesium alloy based frame, and the new shock absorbing wheels all come together to offer the smoothest, most efficient warehouse navigation ever," said Zhang.
The company expects the Moonwalkers X to be available before July this year, and has set aside a limited quantity for early adopters to snap up. Businesses interested in learning more can visit the Shift booth at CES 2024.
Pricing information has not been revealed at this time, but Shift reckons that the new robo-shoes are more expensive to produce than the originals, which will no doubt be reflected in the price tag.
Product page: Moonwalkers X
What this means for your organisation
Augment, not replace.
These shoes make people faster rather than swapping them for robots. That can be cheaper and quicker to deploy than full automation. Firms keep the flexibility of human workers.
Walking is a hidden cost.
Warehouse staff can walk huge distances each shift. Cutting travel time raises output directly. Leaders should measure how much time staff spend moving.
Safety must come first.
Faster movement in busy warehouses raises collision and injury risks. Better braking and gait detection help. Employers must test safety and train staff before rollout.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- How much time do our staff spend walking between tasks?
- Could wearable aids raise output faster than new automation?
- What safety checks would we need before adopting robotic shoes?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
If people can walk and travel around warehouses faster they can get alot more work done, and companies love that.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Moonwalkers x shiftrobotics.io
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 19 April 2024. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2024). New Moonwalker robotic shoes help walkers speed everywhere. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/new-moonwalker-robotic-shoes-help-warehouse-workers-speed-everywhere/
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