Can you imagine such a pair of shoes? It senses, understands and adapts. Smart enough to sense their environment electronically, calculate how best to perform in it, and it can even …

Can you imagine such a pair of shoes? Smart enough to sense their environment electronically, calculate how best to perform in it, and then instantly adapt to that environment. It can even adapt its cushioning level to a runner's size and stride.

Adidas has recently created the world's first “smart shoe”: Adidas 1. It is the product of a three-year secret project the German company developed at its U.S. headquarters.

"The whole concept of an intelligent shoe would be great," said Christian DiBenedetto, a scientist here at the North American headquarters of Adidas. "Something that would change to your different needs during a marathon, or whatever you were doing, was always the fantasy."

After thousands of hours of testing, Adidas is confident the computerized shoe will endure the wear-and-tear of running in almost any condition — from hard pavement to dirt trails, and dry streets to wet beaches.

The microprocessor is located in the arch of the shoe, and drives a tiny screw and cable system that adjusts the heel cushion depending on the signals sent back by an electric sensor coupled to a magnet.

It is powered by a battery that conserves power by adjusting the shoe while it is in the air during a runner's stride, avoiding resistance from the ground.

The entire assembly weighs no more than 40 grams — just 10 percent of the 400-gram total weight of the shoe, to keep it light enough for distance runners.

The shoe, named 1, is expected to be in stores by December and will cost $250.

百灵编辑：茂军