GTXO CBS's Top 10 groundbreaking technologies
In the CBS Morning Show, Technology Section Contributor Katie Linendoll lists down with ten innovative technology products that are redefining lives and are gaining momentous attention now and in the coming years. The products featured included hi-tech sports gadgets and healthcare products. Among included in the list is GTX Corp.’s innovative award winning and multi patent GPS Shoe.
According to Katie Linendoll, the GPS Shoe can make life easier for families who are taking care of relatives suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The smart shoe has a downloaded application that allows them to track their relatives using GPS or be alerted if they wander out of a pre-set safe zone. It is also water resistant and charges via USB. Recent studies show that there are more than 26 million people worldwide who are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
The figure is expected to hit 106 million in 2050. The GPS shoe will not only save lives, but also reduce the cost of the government for rescue and search operations. There are now efforts from various tech companies who are honing in on ways that can improve the quality of life for boomers. The market for a micro-based chip technology like that of the GPS shoe is estimated to be around $5 billion.
In the past, electronic wristbands and ankle bracelets have been used to track people suffering with Alzheimer’s. Those devices tend to be bulky and uncomfortable, while shoes are designed to be unobtrusive. GTX Corp., a leading provider of GPS tracking devices has partnered with Aetrex Worldwide in creating the GPS Shoes, which uses GPS and cellular technologies. The product is protected inside a cavity made of polycarbonate material placed in the mid sole of the shoe, and estimated to last from 1 to 3 years.
The cost of the shoe is around $300 and requires a small monthly fee of $30 which includes a subscription to a GTX Corp. service that automatically alerts the caregivers if the wearer leaves a designated boundary. With 60% of Alzheimer’s patients reporting at least one instance of wandering, GTX Corp’s Smart Shoe has garnered worldwide attention, and as Alzheimer’s disease continues its pervasive spread among ailing seniors, the utility of the product will become that much more pertinent.
