Famous company announces: 'Electric bike for feet'

Dubbed "Project Amplify," the shoe is designed to "naturally support" lower leg and ankle movement. Nike describes the shoe as containing a lightweight motor, a drive belt, and a rechargeable ankle battery. This entire system is housed within a carbon fiber soleplate, and the user can choose to override the system and wear the shoe normally.

Nike says this new model will bring "unparalleled power support" to running and walking. The company says the shoe will give athletes a "second calf muscle," allowing them to perform "faster and longer."

PRODUCT STILL IN TESTING PHASE

The project was tested by more than 400 athletes at Nike's sports research center, the NSRL (Nike Sport Research Lab). The athletes logged a total of 2.4 million steps in nine different versions of the "Project Amplify" shoe. The product is still in testing and is scheduled for release "in the coming years."

Nike has not yet announced an official release date for the shoe, and Euronews Next has not yet responded to an attempt to reach the company.

OTHER COMPANIES ALSO PRODUCE IT

Nike isn't alone in this. The company's project partner, Dephy, is preparing to launch a powered ankle device called the "Sidekick." The system aims to help users walk "faster and with less fatigue."

In 2023, US-based Shift Robotics developed an AI-powered shoe called the "Moonwalker." This eight-wheeled model adapts to the user's walking style, weight, and the terrain.

Engineers at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Switzerland have developed an innovative shoe that converts kinetic energy into electrical energy. This system uses a piezoelectric generator to generate its own energy without requiring batteries. It also collects user data and transmits it to a phone via Bluetooth.

Similarly, companies like ReWalk Robotics are working on robotic exoskeleton systems, that is, wearable technologies, that enable individuals who cannot walk to move.