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Launch nears for GPS-enabled shoe

Aetrex Worldwide’s GPS-enabled shoes for Alzheimer’s patients are one step closer to prime time.

The Teaneck, NJ-based shoe manufacturer in June became the first commercial customer of Los Angeles-based GTX Corp, with an initial order for 3,000 GPS devices to be embedded in the Aetrex Ambulator collection.

The Ambulator collection is intended to provide a durable, reliable solution for monitoring the location of the 5.3 million seniors in the U.S. afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. GTX will begin to ship the devices this summer in anticipation of a fall launch coinciding with the National Alzheimer Association memory walks.

“Aetrex’s mission has always been to develop footwear and foot care products that combine unrivaled technology with innovative designs,” said Evan Schwartz, president of Aetrex Worldwide. “This partnership is a terrific opportunity for Aetrex to use our expertise to extend the brand beyond the comfort category and help a segment of our population that is in need.”

A GPS transceiver module is placed within the shoe. The module transmits the wearer’s location coordinates to a central monitoring station which disseminates the location data through the use of proprietary software, cellular connectivity, the GTX Corp middleware platform, and a secure viewing portal.

Aetrex will initially offer the shoe through www.foot.com, www.gpsshoe.com, and a select group of assisted living facilities.

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