Your next marathon could be a cakewalk.
Nike just unveiled what it claims is the world’s first powered footwear system for running, jogging, and walking. The aptly named Project Amplify is designed to help casual exercisers go faster and farther with less effort.
Created in partnership with the bionic footwear and apparel brand Dephy, the next-gen design is engineered to augment natural lower-leg and ankle movement, providing extra power for everyday exercise. As Nike puts it, it’s like a second set of calf muscles.
The carbon fibre-plated running shoes are equipped with a robotics system comprising a lightweight yet powerful motor, a drive belt, and a rechargeable battery cuff. Built on motion algorithms conceived in the Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL), the system aims to give your stride more oomph. The footwear titan likens the design to an electric bike, making it easier to cover more miles more frequently. The shoes can be worn with or without the robotics, too, making them a little more versatile.
“Project Amplify started with a single question: what if we could find a way to help athletes move faster and farther with less energy and a lot more fun?” Michael Donaghu, VP of create the future, emerging sport and innovation, said in a statement. “At its core, Project Amplify is about seamlessly adding a little more power to your stride.”
Crucially, Nike says Project Amplify is for everyday athletes rather than competitive runners. It’s not about shaving seconds off your time, but rather covering greater distances and exercising more often. Focused specifically on those running between a 10- and 12-minute mile pace, the system is intended to help you squeeze out an extra mile or two and make walking, jogging, and running more fun.
“The fun comes from realising you can do more than you thought you could—whatever ‘more’ means to you,” adds Donaghu.
The NSRL trialed Project Amplify with more than 400 athletes of all levels. More than nine different versions of the hardware were put to the test on the lab’s roughly 220-yard track, with runners covering over 2.4 million steps (or about 12,000 laps) as Nike refined different elements of the system. The athletes reportedly said that Project Amplify felt like a part of their body and that it made walking or running uphill feel like moving on flat ground. Some were also able to drop from a 12-minute mile to a 10-minute mile with the tech.
Project Amplify is still in the testing stage, but Nike hopes to bring it to market in the coming years.
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