Until recently, the idea of technology and footwear has been relegated to the design aspects. Some designs have embarked on computer aided laser etching, and certainly the design of soles has changed dramatically over the past 20-30 years with the use of computer-aided design.

But, that has been the design phase. The idea that computer technology would be a part of the shoe has only until recently taken hold.

In the biggest sign that embedded technology in footwear has gone mainstream, Nike and Apple partnered on Nike + iPod, which married a sensor in the shoe, a wireless receiver, and iPod to give feedback on running.

But, all that seems to pale by comparison when in 2004, MIT spin-off company VectraSense started working toward release of Verb For Shoe.

Verb for Shoe is a sensor feedback design that self-adjusts to improve comfort and performance according to the wearer’s movements by way of an embedded computer within the shoe.

Installed within is ShoeDoctor, a software application which continuously monitors the shoe's health and alerts when problems occur. It actively monitors power usage, air bladder system performance, and motion analysis. When a problem does occur, Customer Support at VectraSense can connect to your shoes across the internet to assist in resolving issues.

The shoe design moves to a second level by letting you social network with fellow Verb for Shoe owners. Stand close enough, and you can exchange business cards and other information through wireless communication between their shoes.

And, much like software updates and upgrades becoming more common with products like Apple’s iPhone, Verb For Shoe has the ability to load new software applications in the future.

With this wiz-bang factor, the shoes are designed for those that want to make a statement with plenty of discretionary income to spare. Cost? $700.00 U.S. and now available after 3 years of design work.

With foot comfort such a critical aspect of athletics, adding technology on the level that Verb For Shoe is attempting could possibly create a new wave in design. To get more answers about the radical shoe, we interviewed Ronald S. Demon, inventor, and CEO of VectraSense Technologies, Inc. The following topics include when the idea for Verb For Shoe first came to light, how the onboard computer functions, how Verb For Shoe design process deals with the shoe and computer design together, how they stand up in durability testing, what market Verb For Shoe caters most closely to, and maybe the biggest question, is a shoe design that is such a radical departure ahead of its time. – Maury Brown

Select Read More to see the interview with Ronald Demon, and more images of Verb for Shoe

Maury Brown for the Business of Sports Network: When did the impetus for the design that would eventually become Verb for Shoe come to light?

Ronald Demon: In 2000, we launched our first computerized running shoe, the Raven. In 2001, we basically redesigned the Raven with a more streamlined, unique shape. With a lot of iterations, that new design became Verb For Shoe.

Bizball: Walk us through some of the applications that the onboard computer technology offers.

Demon: This initial product has two applications. The first application, “auto comfort”, senses your motions and automatically adjusts cushions in the shoe to make your feet more comfortable.

The second application, “contact share”, allows you to wirelessly exchange contact information with other people wearing the “Verb For Shoe”. When two pairs of shoes are close to each other, they can exchange contact information. Once the information has been exchanged, you can then download this information to your PC.

A unique feature of the product is that it is a software platform. New software can be installed into the shoe to give it new capabilities. For example, we could install some fitness monitoring software to allow the shoe to track distance and time. This platform allows us to add new features as they are developed.

Bizball: The Verb for Shoe line has two design pieces, where other shoe designs only have one: the shoe itself and the high-tech underpinnings. Walk us through the design process. Are the two done separately and then integrated, or is it a collaborative effort from the outset?

Demon: The two were designed simultaneously. Once we started to redesign the “engine” to support both comfort and social networking (i.e. wireless communications), we felt the shoe’s design should communicate the dramatic vibe of the technology. The shoe’s functionality is very different from anything else, so the shoe’s design had to be visually distinctive. A key element of the shape is its dramatic curves.

Bizball: Modern footwear, by its nature, is now very much a case of form and function. On the function side, durability is always difficult given the wear and tear that shoes are subjected to. How has Verb for Shoe’s line held up under wear testing?

Demon: This was a critical point when we started to design it. Accordingly, extensive engineering was performed to make the technology small and durable. We had a number of people using it on an extended basis for wear testing. It held up very well.

Bizball: What is the target demo for the products?

Demon: I would say that the current target market is the 25-45 year old men’s fashion luxury market. The shoe is definitely designed for someone who wants something different and wants to get noticed. The shoe’s appeal is the physical product including its technology and style along with the emotional vibe surrounding the product.

Bizball: What type of distribution will Verb for Shoe have?

Demon: It is now being distributed through our website (www.verbforshoe.com), but will eventually end up in higher end fashion boutiques.

Bizball: Are there plans for athletic applications for the shoe design, or is Verb for Shoe about casual wear?

Demon: The current shoe can be worn casually or for sports activities. However, we are exploring a “sports edition” of the shoe which will be optimized for athletic applications. It will have more advanced software to assist in athletic training and performance.

Bizball: What type future concepts could you see for Verb for Shoe?

Demon: I think Verb For Shoe really starts to bring together the fashion and wearable computing trends into a phenomenon that has mainstream appeal. In the future, we will continue to design products which have this signature blend of technology and fashion.

Bizball: Finally, Verb for Shoe is unlike any other design yet released. Is there a concern that you might be ahead of your time?

Demon: That was a big point of discussion in the shoe’s design. We could have designed a more traditional shoe the follows the current design trends. That shoe would have been just another “gadget” shoe. We decided early on that the shoe’s design would be very controversial to make the point that technology and style can blended to make a signature fashion statement.