iShoes: Electric Roller Skates

The "iShoes" are electric roller skates with a 5-7 mile range over flat surfaces, controlled by a tethered, uh, control tether. They can reach speeds of up to 15MPH. They're said to be in testing, with available and pricing data yet to be announced.

They look extremely unsuitable for wet-weather use.

Product Page [TheiShoes.com via Gizmodo]

[#1 posted by Ivan , October 24, 2007 10:26 AM]

They should have a mode where users charge the batteries with their own power, on downhill, etc.

[#2 posted by pork musket , October 24, 2007 11:06 AM]

Two thoughts:
1) these will get you the opposite of laid
2) chain drive? boo.

[#3 posted by TwoShort , October 24, 2007 3:12 PM]

@PORK MUSKET:

1) Some of us don't rely on our transportation for that
2) Of course chain drive. Chain drive is dominant on every small vehicle there is: motorcycle, bicycle, electric scooters and skateboards; all use chain drive. What would you expect and/or why isn't chain drive great? (OK, I'd enclose it in this case, but then it wouldn't look as cool)

If you want to criticize these, they're not lacking in reasons to call them silly. Chiefly, as transportation, they compare unfavorably to unpowered inline speed skates. But really I think it misses the point to evaluate tham on any practical grounds, rather than their sheer geektacular awesomeness, which is considerable.

[#4 posted by sexyrobot , October 25, 2007 12:04 AM]

all skates are bad for wet-weather use. except for rocket skates, of course.

[#5 posted by strider_mt2k , October 25, 2007 3:07 AM]

Putting that drive train right out where it can eat everything will prove to be difficult maintenance in the future.

Jebus, I'm treating them like they'd be someone's daily driver(s).

ROCKETS OF COURSE!!!
(sounds of scribbling)

[#6 posted by The Life Of Bryan , October 25, 2007 7:09 AM]

5-7 miles at 15mph? Sheesh! I can go a whole lot longer at that speed (assuming flat straightaways, which I'm sure is where those numbers come from), and I know much better skaters who truly put those specs to shame. But still, very geektabuloriffic.

If only this were an inline configuration with regenerative braking...

And yes, you can skate in the rain with the right wheels (Matter Storm Surge, $14-$16 each), although rust-proof bearings are highly recommended as well.

[#7 posted by Anonymous , October 25, 2007 7:30 AM]

Wow, I'll be sure to wear those bad boys next time I'm graffiti battling on the streets of Toyko-to. JET SET RADIOOOOOOOO!

[#8 posted by dansinch , October 25, 2007 9:49 AM]

"Whether you want to increase your productivity at work..."

Really? I want to talk to the first person who buys these to increase productivity at work.