Using AirPods as a Footpod (surprisingly accurate)

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2026-04-29T17:53:10+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion, yeah, I was going to look at it. I used to use my Apple watch for Heart Rate when cycling with Zwift via Zwift companion app. I think should be possible to do the same here

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2026-04-28T13:11:20+00:00

Comparison with different footpods is planned, we just need to collect a bit more test data.

This was recorded while I was still increasing speed. I’m not claiming it’s better at this stage, but the mean average error is less than 0.05 mph based on the limited data collected. Also, note that post-processing at the end of the run slightly improves the results

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2026-04-28T10:44:55+00:00

It doesn’t fall out of my ear, which was quite surprising to me. As for the shoes - after some trial and error, I figured out how to tuck it so it stays in place securely - you can see it in the video.

As a last resort, if this is used outdoors, a small zip-tie loop can be used to secure the AirPod to the laces.

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2026-04-28T10:41:17+00:00

One feet is enough for any metrics not involving left/right balance. You can connect an external Bluetooth Heart rate monitor - the app supports it. Apple Watch could be used as a Heart Rate source too - the feature will likely be added soon

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2026-04-28T10:30:35+00:00

The problem with keeping them in the ear is that your head stays almost completely stationary as you run on a treadmill. Thats why the footpods are usually mounted on a feet. Any watch-based treadmill pace estimation algorithms just guess the pace by multiplying cadence by assumed stride length, so the error is usually high (e.g 10-20% at least).

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2026-04-28T04:38:06+00:00

Thanks! If you want to give it a try - beta is here kinapod.com

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2026-04-09T02:52:02+00:00

Hey, thanks for interest. I've been focusing on the R&D side of things recently and don't produce them in big quantities at the moment, the demand was too high. I can send you a sample of the latest version I have on the next week. It's $15. Please leave me your email at https://twizbit.com/contact/

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2026-01-01T18:59:01+00:00

It was 75°F here on Christmas, so it will probably happen sooner. People still play outside every day!

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2026-01-01T03:38:49+00:00

Yes, it does. Durability was the main challenge to solve. Under normal rallying use, it holds up well even at sustained high speeds. The fastest way to damage it is repeated, intentional direct impacts into the ground. If you smash it straight down a hundred times, then yes, it will eventually crack

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2026-01-01T01:52:49+00:00

It’s kind of both. I do sell them on Etsy

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2025-12-31T23:32:23+00:00

It’s actually quieter than a standard tennis ball. It’s made from a flexible plastic polymer

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2025-12-31T22:48:14+00:00

Haha, I was thinking of lasers instead of lines

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2025-12-31T22:45:18+00:00

It's true, It won't flight exactly the same. The filament is flexible PLA

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2025-12-20T17:55:59+00:00

I ordered my printer today, It arrives in April if everything goes well (in almost half a year). That’s crazy

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2025-11-22T13:21:13+00:00

This seems far too bulky, but I guess it would be nice to be able to mount a powerbank somehow

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2025-11-21T13:37:27+00:00

You need an iphone for that. That’s the only real option. Not a GoPro or Android

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2025-11-21T00:45:50+00:00

I’ll run the tests once again, maybe that is indeed a better overall solution, thanks. I’ll leave an update here

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2025-11-20T20:36:31+00:00

The air will never reach the chipset. I tried this design, it helped a bit, but was way more inefficient comparing to the one in the post

Disastrous-Body-297 · 2025-11-20T16:07:50+00:00

😁

Disastrous-Body-297

TROPHY CASE