Nissan ProPILOT Slippers Are Self-Parking, Autonomous
Too late! That's what I thought about shoes that would park themselves in neat rows, because that's what Nissan's new self-parking slippers will do.
(Self-parking autonomous slippers from Nissan)
The slippers, tables and cushions are rigged with a special version of Nissan’s “ProPILOT Park”, which is autonomous parking technology. When not in use, they automatically return to their designated spots at the push of a button. All of them are equipped with two tiny wheels, a motor and sensors to drive across the guest room.
Who ever heard of self-parking slippers? No sf authors that I know of, although the many-legged luggage from Terry Prachett's 1983 novel The Color of Magic comes close.
Why "too late"? Because my kids are all grown up and out of the house, that's why. I can park my own shoes, thank you.
I've written articles aplenty on unusual shoes, though:
Tortoise Mobile Smart Stores
'... all round the city dozens of cars have rented out their trunks, which contain cigars and scotch and stuff.' - Karl Schroeder, 2019.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!)
is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for
the Invention Category that interests
you, the Glossary, the Invention
Timeline, or see what's New.
Prairie Madness - And Space Sickness
'Space-sickness is one of the most unpleasant sensations that a human being can experience. Not all are subject to it...'
'Old People Began to Cross The Continent In Their Own Cars'
'It was a relief to enter one of the comfortable autos, whisper a direction down the tube, and just know that you would be taken to your destination in the quickest, safest, and cheapest manner.'
Starfall Manufacturing Drugs In Space
'The vast spinning sphere of Factory in the Sky loomed above and ahead of us, gleaming white against the unfathomable jet depths of surrounding space.'
The Solar Oberth Slingshot
'And if it doesn’t work,' inquired Lazarus, 'what does that make us? Sunspots?'
'If Anyone Is Watching Earth...'
'Our study of your race has convinced us that you are not fitted to leave your planet in the present state of your civilization.'