Systems and methods of manufacturing a shoe outsole are provided wherein at least a portion of the resulting shoe outsole includes embedded particles. An example method includes applying adhesive to at least one region of the shoe outsole, depositing selected particles onto the adhesive to provide the shoe outsole with a first coat of particles, and at least partially curing the adhesive. The method continues by applying additional adhesive over the first coat of particles, depositing additional particles onto the adhesive to provide the shoe outsole with a second coat of particles, and at least partially curing the subsequent application of adhesive.

A system for analysis of user gait and to provide correction in form of haptic and visual feedback. This system comprises a motion and force sensors and a haptic actuator embedded in the user shoe insoles in communication with a smart-phone based analysis application, configured to calculate motion and orientation of the user feet in relation to the value, location and distribution of ground reaction forces measured by sensors located in the shoe insoles and after analysis of said forces and motion, to provide haptic feedback to the user foot instructing about the location (and timing) of pressure the user must apply to achieve an optimal gait.

Systems and apparatus related to automated tightening of a footwear platform including a footwear lacing apparatus are discussed. In an example, a footwear lacing apparatus can include a housing structure, a spool, and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can include a top section and a bottom section. The spool can include a superior surface, a lace spool under the superior surface and a spool shaft with a keyed connection pin. The spool can also be integrated into the top section of the housing structure. The drive mechanism can couple with the spool via the keyed connection pin on the spool shaft. The drive mechanism can be adapted to rotate the spool to tighten or loosen a lace cable integrated into the footwear.

A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear comprises a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. The control bar may include a series of slats. A base supports the control bar and is connected to the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unstressed position with the center segment a first distance from the base, and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position with the center segment a second distance from the base less than the first distance. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load.

An article of footwear formed from a flat pattern to include a side seam and/or utilizing aperture alignment of multiple flat pattern pieces is disclosed. In aspects, an article of footwear, such as an upper, is formed from a flat pattern and modified into a dimensional article of footwear that includes a side closing. The side closing may comprise adjoined side edges of the flat pattern upper that are secured to each other with a securing element to maintain the dimensional article of footwear in its shape. Alignment of the parts may be provided through at least partial alignment of apertures in the flat pattern upper and apertures in a securing element and/or other flat pattern pieces, including using multi-purpose apertures, allowing streamlined processing and manufacturing of footwear.

An article of footwear and related method includes a midsole, an upper secured with respect to the midsole, and a lace extending through the upper. A motorized lacing system positioned within the midsole, configured to engage with the lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace. The motorized lacing system includes a motor, including a motor shaft, a spool, coupled to the motor shaft, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on the turning of the motor shaft, a processor circuit, and an optical encoder. The optical encoder comprises a three-dimensional encoder defining a major axis and having a surface having a first plurality of segments positioned between a second plurality of segments, and an optical sensor, positioned within optical range of the cylindrical encoder, configured to output a signal to the processor circuit indicative of a detected one of a first and second plurality of segments.

Described are articles of wear including with a material with color changing properties. The material includes at least one elastic portion having an unstretched colored appearance and a stretched colored appearance. The material also includes at least one fixed portion having the stretched colored appearance regardless of a magnitude of an external force applied to the at least one fixed portion.

An intelligent shoe comprises one or more sensorial devices configured to generate sensorial signals to instruct a wearer to walk along a pedestrian path. The intelligent shoe is configured to cause a current location of the wearer to be determined and to obtain a pedestrian path between the current location and the destination location. The intelligent shoe then causes the one or more sensorial devices to generate sensorial signals, instructing the wearer to move along the pedestrian path.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling pedal feedback to an operator and vehicle control. One embodiment of a vehicle system includes a pedal having an engagement device configured to generate a pulling force on an operator device. The vehicle system also includes a controller configured to control the engagement device to generate the pulling force on the operator device. Embodiments also provide for electromagnetic and permanent magnet engagement devices, and control of engagement devices to engage an operator with a vehicle pedal. Embodiments also provide for multiple wearable configurations of operator devices for engaging with vehicle pedals. Processes are provided for activating and deactivating engagement devices in response to vehicle driving conditions.