Secunderabad, India – The Smartshoe Set To Hit Indian Retailers In September

India – Despite the fact that Indian consumers aren’t yet able to purchase Google Glass, they’ll be the first to have access to the smartshoe, a Bluetooth enabled shoe that will link with a smartphone app to vibrate when users need to turn.

THe Wall Street Journal (http://on.wsj.com/1kdqpb6) reports that the smartshoe is the brainchild of Indian start-up Ducere Technologies Pvt. and will retail for between $100 and $150 for a shoe or insert version.

According to Ducere co-founder, 30 year-old Krispian Lawrence, the idea for the smartshoe originally grew out of an endeavor aimed at helping sight-impaired Indians who rely on walking canes to get around.

Lawrence said while canes aid in detecting obstacles for the blind, the smartshoe helps them know when to turn and when they have reached their destinations.

“That’ where we come in and fill the void,” Lawrence said

Lawrence said the name Lechal, which means “take me along” in Hindi, was a natural fit for the shoe since no one leaves home without their shoes.

“The shoes are a natural extension of the human body,” said Lawrence. “You will leave your house without your watch or wristband, but you will never leave your house without your shoes.”