Budget airline easyJet wants to sell you smart shoes called 'Sneakairs'

Budget airline says the vibrating trainers can direct you on holiday rather than your smartphone.

Budget airline easyJet is developing shoes that will vibrate to help direct you around new cities.

The ‘Sneakairs’ will tell you whether to turn left or right so you can explore new cities without having all that hassle of looking down at your smartphone or old-fashioned map.

The shoes will have in-built sensors that connect to a smartphone app via Bluetooth, which help them guide you to local landmarks and sights.

“We are looking at making this technology available for purchase on-board in the future, offering a practical solution to those passengers who want to relax visiting a new place without the need of a map and enjoy every moment while they explore a new city,” says Peter Duffy, easyJet’s marketing director.

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Yes, they’re for real

The shoes may sound like a flight of fancy but the prototype has already been built and tested during the Barcelona Street Project event. Testers were able to use the shoes to walk to landmarks such as Gaudi’s Casa Le Pedrera and Casa Batllo.

“We have developed this navigation solution because we have seen too many gaps in the market for a product,” said Nuria Martínez, digital area director at D6, the technology developer. “It’s also a great fit for an airline such as easyJet who fly so many people to new, perhaps unfamiliar destinations.”

It’s not the first time easyJet has experimented with wearable technology. Last year the airline unveiled new uniforms for flight staff that incorporated technology. Flight attendants’ uniforms had LEDs to show flight numbers, destinations and extra lighting in emergencies. Microphones were also built-in so that they could communicate easily with colleagues and pilots.

Ground staff could have LEDs fitted into their uniforms so that they can keep their hands free for maintenance and inspections, as well as in-built cameras to enable remote diagnostics and air quality sensors. The uniforms are being trialled, but it’s not clear if they will be used across the fleet yet.

Other smart tech

The budget airline isn't the only firm developing smart technology to help guide people around.

Boréal Bikes unveiled smart handle grips last year, which are vibrating handlebars that can be clipped onto a bike to help riders find their way without having to stop. 

Like ‘Sneakairs’ they vibrate to tell the rider whether to turn left or right.

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