The first “made in India” smart shoe, the NAVIGATOR, which is perhaps the biggest disruptor in the nation’s footwear business so far, was introduced by Ajanta Shoes, a 66-year-old legacy footwear brand. This innovation has once again transformed the country’s footwear sector. The gyroscopically powered artificial intelligence serves as the inspiration for the smart shoe.

In the esteemed presence of star cricketer, former Indian cricket team captain, and ex-BCCI president Mr. Sourav Ganguly, as well as Mr. Sagnik Banik, Managing Director of Ajanta Shoes and founder of Impakto, the smart shoe NAVIGATOR and an athleisure line dubbed Impakto, were launched.

The advancements made by Ajanta in the fusion of technology and footwear are clearly evident in the NAVIGATOR. More precise step counting, fitness tracking, fall detection, quick call dialing, access to music applications and websites, and other customizations are all available with the smart shoe and can all be done with a few touches or foot motions. This advancement is the result of Ajanta’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology, which is backed by Impakto’s robust research and development staff, which is never short of original ideas. In order to make use of the great potential for technological innovation present inside the Indian manufacturing sector, the smart shoe is produced in India with the majority of its components coming from within the nation.

Speaking at the event, Sourav Ganguly said “The amount I have run in my entire cricketing career is equal to the distance between London and Kolkata. Investing in a good shoe is important as the feet take the entire weight of your body. As you grow old, you realize that investing in a good pair of shoes is actually a good decision. You need to take care of your body”.

Along with revolutionizing the athleisure market, the homegrown brand Impakto has long supported rappers and b-boyers to help the nation’s young flourish. This year, the dancers who were promoted by Impakto were even highlighted on the Olympic social media platforms.

Products like the Barefoot Gym Shoe, Phoenix, Space Runner, and Shoeger Daddy are brilliant examples of how the company has its sights set on the future. The soles are designed to be used for a variety of activities, including jogging, dancing, and working out. The Impakto range’s seamless integration of adaptability, stability, and flexibility adheres to the anatomy of the foot.

Ajanta currently exports to the GCC, Africa, and Australia and operates 137 stores in India, selling over 10,000 pairs of its 160 SKUs daily. The group aims for a total retail store of 300 by next fiscal year and is looking to expand to new markets like Haryana, Telangana, and Karnataka.

Video link of the event- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NGMP5gRF60

Priyanka Dutta