Nike just dropped something straight out of sci-fi - robotic shoes that make you faster. Project Amplify, unveiled Thursday, isn't targeting elite runners but everyday athletes who want to walk and run with less effort. Think pedal-assist for your feet, complete with motors and batteries strapped to your ankles.
Nike just turned the future of footwear into reality. The sportswear giant announced Project Amplify on Thursday, billing it as "the world's first powered footwear system" - basically robot legs that strap onto your ankles to make walking and running easier.
But here's the twist: this isn't for Olympic sprinters trying to shave milliseconds off their times. Project Amplify targets the rest of us - people who want to go farther with less effort during everyday movement. "The first-generation product, created alongside robotics partner Dephy, isn't designed for competitive, faster runners," Nike explained in a press release. "Rather, it's intended to serve athletes who want to go faster and farther with less effort by giving them more power for everyday movement - in effect, a second set of calf muscles."
The device looks like a high-tech ankle brace packed with serious engineering. Inside the sleek design sits a motor, drive belt, and rechargeable battery that work together to provide that extra boost. It's aimed at "athletes" - which Nike defines as anyone with a body - who walk at roughly a 10 to 12-minute mile pace.
This isn't some rushed prototype either. The company has been quietly developing Project Amplify with over 400 athletes across several years of testing. While still in the testing phase, Nike mentioned plans to bring the technology to consumers "in the coming years," though no specific timeline or pricing was revealed.
The announcement positions Nike at the forefront of wearable robotics, a space that's been heating up as companies explore how to augment human performance. The concept mirrors the e-bike revolution - much like e-bikes provide pedal assistance to make cycling accessible to more people, Project Amplify could democratize enhanced athletic performance.
Project Amplify represents just one piece of Nike's innovation blitz. The company also unveiled several other ambitious projects Thursday, including "neuroscience-based footwear" and advanced cooling technology for athletic apparel. This suggests is making a major bet on high-tech solutions to differentiate itself in an increasingly competitive market.
