After unveiling connected devices like wristbands, and air purifiers among others, Xiaomi it seems is turning its attention to footwear. The company along with Chinese sportswear company Li Ning, are developing a new generation of “smart” running shoes.
Together the two companies are said to be working on shoes that will include soles with an in-built chipset. The shoes will connect with a Xiaomi smartphone app that will keep a track of fitness-related data like distance covered, progress, and achievements among others. As with Xiaomi’s other products, these running shoes will be relatively cheaper than smart shoes from other brands.
Interestingly, Li Ning also played a part in Xiaomi’s Mi Band. The company partnered Huami Technology, the company behind the smartband, and also a part of Xiaomi’s growing IoT ecosystem. “We have chosen to collaborate with the Mi band because of Huami Technology’s strength in “smart” wearable products,” Li Ning said in a statement on Monday. “We hope to use this opportunity to provide professional “smart” running shoes to running enthusiasts in China at an affordable price.”
Xiaomi has been quite clear about its ambitions for an ecosystem of connected devices. It recently invested over $200 million in Midea, a Chinese home appliance maker with a portfolio including air conditioners, refrigerators and kitchen appliances. It also shares Xiaomi’s vision of a smart home and is said to be investing over $2 billion in IoT in the next three years.
Xiaomi has also revealed that nearly 25 countries have joined its growing smart home ecosystem, and has recently unveiled smart devices like a set-top box, smart TV, blood pressure management kit, the Mi Band fitness tracker, Mi Purifier and is currently also working on a smart water purifier.
