On Thu, 17 Nov 2005, Sasha Pachev wrote:
I am looking for a gadget with the following requirements:
The purpose of the gadget is to help improve running form by encouraging the
runner to minimize ground contact time.
You could prototype one very quickly with a gadgetboard. The gadgetboard's
big, but would fit in a fanny pack (with wires to the shoe) if you gave up on
miniaturizing:
http://www.lunkwill.org/gadgetboard/
Given a prototype, you could easily port the code to an attiny8, and if your
SMD skills are good, there's a nonzero chance you could fit the entire device
in a shoe. (But remember, you need sensors, controls (to set delays, etc.),
an actuator (buzzer) and batteries).
It could also be done purely in analog electronics, although the attiny8 comes
in an 8-SOIC package, and that's pretty tough to beat for size:
http://www.optoelectro.com/history/2002/04/0402011.jpg
Microcontrollers also have neat expandability, so for instance, rather than
having an explicit off switch you could tap your heel down in a special rhythm
(shave and a haircut?) to do stuff like turning it on/off and changing the
delay. Or keep statistics on your run that you could later download.
-J
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