Enfora specializes in the development of wireless modules and remote-monitoring solutions. GTXC develops and commercializes miniaturized GPS tracking technology that uses cellular transmission. The two companies joined forces in the development of the Xplorer GPS Smart shoe, while using an integrated high performance GPS solution provided by Global Locate.

The smart shoe uses a quad band (850/900/1800/1900) wireless module optimized for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, and tracking systems that require real-time access to GPS or Assisted GPS (AGPS) location information.

The signal transmitted by the Xplorer GPS Smart shoe can be picked up by satellite. This information is relayed back to the GTXC monitoring center, making the wearer's location data accessible to care takers by internet or phone. In addition, an electronic alert is automatically issued when the wearer enters a pre-defined area, or goes beyond a pre-defined location.

TFOT has recently covered a few developments that were presented at the CeBit 2007 Exhibition in Hannover, Germany. Among these developments are advanced fabrics that can monitor physiological signs, and ShoePod– a thin insole that is placed in the shoe and monitors the user’s footfalls over time. TFOT also reported on a vibrating shoe which uses electricity to make vibrations, and on a novelwristwatch capable of monitoring many physiological signals and of reporting the wearer's emotional state to a caretaker.

More information on the Xplorer GPS Smart shoe can be found here (PDF) and on the GTXC website.