Nike has announced the launch of Project Amplify, which it claims is “the world”s first powered footwear system for running and walking.” This innovative product is designed to assist everyday athletes in moving faster and longer with reduced effort.
The Project Amplify system is engineered to enhance natural movement in the lower leg and ankle. By providing a significant boost to those who wish to be more active, Nike aims to reshape the landscape of running, jogging, and walking. The footwear incorporates a lightweight motor, a drive belt, and a rechargeable cuff battery that work in harmony with a carbon fiber-plated running shoe, which can be utilized with or without the powered components.
This advancement encourages more frequent and longer walks or runs, increasing enjoyment while promoting physical activity. It caters specifically to athletes who prefer a pace between 10 and 12 minutes per mile, thus making slower running and walking more enjoyable and accessible.
Michael Donaghu, VP of Create The Future, Emerging Sport and Innovation at Nike, stated, “Our job is to dream big while keeping athletes at the center. 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?” He further explained that the initiative focuses on seamlessly integrating additional power into one”s stride, allowing users to achieve more than they previously thought possible.
Similar to the impact of electric bikes on urban commuting, Nike”s Project Amplify is designed to make physical activity easier and more enjoyable. This product is not intended for competitive runners seeking to improve their speed but rather for individuals who want to enhance their everyday movement with less exertion, effectively acting as an extra set of calf muscles.
Insights from the Nike Sport Research Lab and testing with athletes across various skill levels indicate that users often feel as though the system is an extension of their own bodies. Many report that running uphill feels easier, akin to running on flat terrain, and some users have experienced improvements in their mile times.
Project Amplify is still undergoing testing, with over 400 athletes participating in trials that total around 2.4 million steps. Each iteration of the system has been refined based on feedback and testing results, with a focus on enhancing different components of the technology. Donaghu remarked, “Is this new for Nike? Yes and no. It”s obviously a new innovation, but the day Bill Bowerman poured rubber into the family waffle iron was the start of a journey to augment movement and create the future of sport.” He emphasized the brand”s belief in the healing power of movement, positioning Project Amplify as a significant step forward in this ongoing narrative.
As Nike prepares for a broader consumer launch of Project Amplify in the coming years, the company continues to blend art and science to achieve performance readiness, reinforcing its commitment to innovation centered around athletes.
