Nike says its first ‘powered footwear’ is like an e-bike for your feet

On Thursday, Nike announced Project Amplify, “the world’s archetypal powered footwear system,” which it says isn’t intended for pros—in fact, rather the opposite. Much like e-bikes supply pedal assistance, Project Amplify uses a lightweight robotics strategy to boost moving and walking speed. 

“The first-generation product, created alongside robotics spouse Dephy, isn’t designed for competitive, faster runners trying to shave seconds disconnected their time; rather, it’s intended to service athletes who privation to spell faster and farther with little effort by giving them much powerfulness for mundane question — successful effect, a 2nd acceptable of calf muscles,” Nike explained successful a property release. 

Project Amplify resembles an ankle brace, with a motor, thrust belt, and rechargeable artillery concealed successful a reasonably svelte design. It’s aimed astatine “athletes” (anyone with a body, according to Nike) who are walking astatine a astir 10 to 12-minute mile pace. The merchandise has been successful improvement with implicit 400 athletes implicit the past respective years, and remains successful testing, but Nike mentioned plans to bring it to consumers “in the coming years.” 

The robotic walking assistance is among a fistful of ambitious projects Nike unveiled today, including “neuroscience-based footwear” and caller cooling tech for its diversion apparel.