A soccer ball just sailed across the uncanny valley, thanks to the Google x adidas GMR: an ambitious pair of smart shoe insoles that combine the thrill of real-time play with the excitement of a video game. Embedded with a small, unobtrusive “Jacquard Tag” that houses both a gyroscope and accelerometer, these insoles track real-time movements during physical gameplay, using them to meet goals and unlock rewards in EA Sports’ wildly popular FIFA Mobile soccer game.
In addition to adidas’ signature style and a supportive insole intended for field play, the GMR — short for the dual-meaning gamer, naturally — these insoles represent an unprecedented partnership between tech juggernaut Google’s wearable tech Jacquard project and the sports gear industry giant. While the Google x adidas GMR is primarily being marketed to FIFA Mobile fans at the moment, the implications of the data gathered by the Jacquard chips could easily influence training regimens and play style for connected footballers in the near future, particularly if this first rollout goes well.