- Project Amplify integrates a motor, belt, and battery into a system that assists foot strike during running and walking.
- Focused on paces of 10-12 minutes per mile and for everyday use, not for elites.
- Tested by over 400 athletes and 2,4 million steps at the NSRL, with perceived improvements in effort and pace.
- It remains in the prototype phase; consumer launch planned for the coming years, with a tentative internal target.
At a time when sports technology is accelerating at a steady pace, Nike has presented Project AmplifyIt's a motor-assisted footwear system designed to make running and walking at moderate paces easier and more effortless. The idea isn't to break records, but rather to encourage more people to be more active and more comfortable.
The idea is reminiscent of e-bikes: an extra boost that doesn't replace human activity, but does relieves the load with each strideAccording to the company, the goal is to broaden access to daily movement, from those who run errands on foot to those who take leisurely walks in the park.
What is Project Amplify
Project Amplify is, in essence, a motorized footwear system It combines a lightweight robotic system with a running shoe featuring a carbon fiber plate. The brand describes it as its first system of its kind for running and walking, designed to add extra power to the natural mechanics of the ankle and lower leg.
El hardware It combines a compact engine, a transmission band and a rechargeable battery housed in an ankle or calf-style bracelet. All of this is integrated into a shoe that can be used with or without the robotic module, so the footwear remains functional even when assistance is not needed.
How does the system work
During the foot strike, the device synchronizes its action with the natural movement of the ankle to provide a subtle push at takeoffThe transfer of power occurs through the strap and the joint attached to the heel, which translates into less energy needed to maintain the pace, especially on climbs or long stretches.
The system is governed by motion algorithms developed from trials conducted by the Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL). On paper, the system aims to make the sensation as organic as possible. that it “disappears” as a device and be perceived as part of the body itself, a kind of second twin that collaborates in every step.
Who is it for and what is it for?
The company insists that it is not a product for elite runners striving to shave seconds off their times, but for those who run at approximate paces of 10 to 12 minutes per mile and they want to go a little faster or a little further with less effort. Its use is also envisioned for daily walks and urban commutes.
Beyond performance, the focus is on the accessibility and the adherence to physical activityTo make it easier for people who tend to avoid hills or long walks to find support that encourages them to move around more often. In European settings, this could be a good fit for walkable cities with extensive public transport, where extending walking distances is practical.
In informal tests of the device, some users have noted that with assistance, a climb feels more like... go across the plainThere have also been cases where a 12 min/mile runner has dropped to around 10 min/mile, suggesting a tangible impact on perceived exertion within that target range.
Development, testing and results
Project Amplify was born from a collaboration with robotics partner Dephy and has accumulated a history of several prototypes. According to Nike, more than 400 athletes They have participated in trials totaling around 2,4 million steps, with at least nine hardware iterations to fine-tune key elements such as motor, transmission, battery, and shoe response.
The evaluations have taken place both outdoors and on the NSRL's 200-meter circuit. The aim has been to fine-tune the integration between software and biomechanicsseeking to ensure that the push complements the final phase of each stride and adapts to individual variability without artificially interfering with the technique.
Project status and roadmap
To this day, the system remains in prototype phaseThe current operational versions are bulkier and noisier than desired for a final product, and the team is working to refine the design, ergonomics, and discretion, with the ambition of achieving a finish that meets the brand's standards.
Looking to the market, the company speaks of a launch for consumers in the next yearsSome internal communications suggest a tentative target date of around 2028 if everything progresses as planned, although there is no firm date or pricing details. In Europe, any commercialization will require the relevant regulatory processes (e.g., CE marking) before distribution in countries like Spain.
Implications for daily life
If the product reaches stores with the promise it makes, it could open a new category between footwear and... assistance wearablesJust as the popularization of e-bikes facilitated longer journeys without breaking a sweat, such a system could encourage extended walks, walking trips, and more consistent, smooth rides.
There is also potential among groups that have drifted away from exercise due to pace, fatigue, or hills. The challenge will be to find a balance. effectiveness, safety, and social acceptance: what is considered “fair aid”, how it coexists with regulations for popular races in Europe and how its use fits into shared spaces such as bike lanes or sidewalks.
What are the differences compared to regular sneakers?
The base of the shoe incorporates a carbon fiber plateThis technology is already widespread in running due to its ability to stabilize and improve the transition of the stride. The novelty lies not in the technology itself, but in the motorized module and battery in the armband, which add active propulsion at the crucial moment of push-off.
Unlike conventional sneakers, Project Amplify is closer to a hardware and software ecosystem which needs to be calibrated and recharged. Therefore, the option to use the shoe without the module offers flexibility to alternate assisted sessions with traditional runs, which is practical for those who don't want to always depend on the support.
What Nike presented positions Project Amplify as a serious attempt to redefine the relationship between footwear and movement: an aid that, if it materializes as promised, could make running and walking more accessible to a wide audience without competitive aspirations, from Spain to the rest of Europe.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.