Electro-Harmonix is certainly a company that has earned a reputation for innovation over the years &, with their new 'Next Step' line of effects, they seem to be at it again!
Next Step is essentially a line of expression-based effects pedals that contain no moving parts & instead utilise the same technology as you would find in a smartphone to ascertain the position of the pedal as you rock it back & forth. The advantages of this are two-fold: firstly, the lack of any moving parts should mean zero maintenance, as well as increased reliability &, secondly, it allows for much smoother, friction-free operation.