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how does it work?

just press + or - to adjust the cushioning?

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Herzogenaurch, Germany/New York, November 20, 2005

adidas Introduces the Worlds First Intelligent Basketball Shoe
Today, adidas has introduced the worlds first intelligent basketball shoe. The shoe, called adidas_1 Basketball, features the award-winning technology that is revolutionizing the sporting goods industry.
The shoe provides intelligent cushioning, meaning it finds the right level of cushioning whatever the players size or movement. It senses an athlete's needs, understands those needs, and instantly adapts itself to be perfect for the player.

The adidas_1 Basketball shoe works on the same principles as the adidas_1 Running shoe. A magnetic sensor in the heel senses the level of compression. This compression level is sent to the shoes brain, a microprocessor that understands if the cushioning level is too soft or too firm. And a motor-driven cable system adapts the cushioning, to make the shoe softer or firmer as needed. The basketball model has been uploaded with new software along with changed physical characteristics to meet the needs of the sport.

Besides the normal differences between running and basketball shoes in outsole and upper materials, the components of the intelligent system are changed to meet the specific needs of the sport. They remain positioned in the heel and midfoot of the shoe. This is because while many players land, cut and plant with their toes, the forces generated when the heel contacts the floor cause some of the greatest overcompression. The basketball cushioning element and midsole have a lower profile than the running model, and the layout of the motor cable unit and processor is streamlined to fit the space.

The shoe recognizes different kinds of compression associated with basketball, such as: even, regular compressions for running; quick, extreme compressions for jumping and landing; longer, extreme compressions for cutting. It filters all the data and develops a player profile, meaning it knows if you are a player who does more running and cutting, or a player that does more jumping and landing. Once it recognizes your style, it adjusts more quickly when you go from running to cutting, or from jumping to running. Adjustments happen continuously throughout the game.
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Using the adidas_1 Basketball shoe is simple. Just switch it on and play. The shoe accounts for all stoppage in play to conserve battery life. If the heel experiences no compression for five minutes, the shoe goes to standby mode. One of the lights on the shoe blinks to let you know the shoe is resting, but not off. It keeps checking for activity, and, if the heel compresses again, it wakes up and goes back into play mode. If there is no compression after two hours, it moves to a softer setting and switches itself off, or chill mode. When switched on, it gets firmer to protect against extreme movements.

The shoe will be available in limited quantities in the U.S. in May, with a global introduction in August, 2006. It retails for $250 and will be sold through adidas Sports Performance store and selected retailers.

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Anyone who owns the Adidas 1 feel like they are just as nice or maybe even not as good as non-electronic running shoes?

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