IIT Indore and DRDO Develop Energy-Harvesting, GPS-Tracking Shoes

IIT Indore, in partnership with DRDO, has created energy-harvesting shoes with real-time GPS tracking capabilities. These innovative shoes harness human motion to power electronic devices and aid in military, civilian, and industrial applications. The technology marks a significant leap in sustainable energy and advanced tracking solutions.

IIT Indore, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), has developed an innovative shoe that generates energy from human motion to power electronic devices while featuring a satellite-based GPS module for accurate live location tracking, according to a release. The institute has already delivered 10 pairs of Tribo-Electric Nanogenerator (TENG) based shoe soles to DRDO.

The shoes, designed under the guidance of Prof I A Palani, faculty at IIT Indore, integrate sustainable energy solutions with advanced tracking technologies. Director of IIT Indore, Prof Suhas Joshi, highlighted the military applications, emphasizing that the real-time location tracking capabilities enhance the safety and coordination of military personnel, consequently improving operational efficiency and security.

Prof Palani explained that the TENG system utilizes advanced tribo-pairs, Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) and Aluminium, to generate power with each step. Beyond military uses, these shoes promise significant benefits for civilian and industrial applications, including location tracking for elderly family members, monitoring children's whereabouts, and managing worker attendance in industrial settings.

(With inputs from agencies.)