Nike's HyperAdapt 1.0 trainers are like Marty McFly’s self-lacing shoes

By Jamie Rivera Published 03/17/2016 04:40:00 | Views: 3914

Nike’s latest reveal just a few months into 2016 finally brings Marty McFly’s iconic sneakers to life. The company has unveiled the Nike HyperAdapt 1.0, which automatically tighten when the wearer’s heel hits a sensor. And, they will be available to Nike+

Back to the Future II was close to hitting the mark when it predicted 2015 would bring hoverboards, self-tying shoes, and wearable devices.

While the most common hoverboards on the market don’t actually hover, Nike’s latest reveal just a few months into 2016 finally brings Marty McFly’s iconic sneakers to life.

The company has unveiled the Nike HyperAdapt 1.0, which automatically tighten when the wearer’s heel hits a sensor.

And, they will be available to Nike+ members later this year.

The HyperAdapt 1.0 is the first step in Nike’s adaptive lacing endeavours.

While this shoe is manually controlled, the company says it shows the possibility for a similar, automated system.

The shoe will tighten automatically when a person steps in, triggered by the heel hitting a sensor.

But to perfect the fit, it must be manually tightened or loosened using buttons on the sides, according to Tiffany Beers, Senior Innovator, Nike, and the project’s technical lead.

Designer Tinker Hatfield explains that these shoes merge different technological capabilities to meet the challenges faced by athletes.

‘Innovation at Nike is not about dreaming of tomorrow. It’s about accelerating toward it,’ says Tinker Hatfield.

HOW SELF-LACING SHOES WORK

The shoe will tighten automatically when a person steps in, triggered by the heel hitting a sensor.

To perfect the fit, it must be manually tightened or loosened using buttons on the sides.

The ease of the system allows athletes to quickly make precise ‘micro-adjustments’ to reduce pressure from tight laces, or slippage when they’re too loose, according to Nike.

While the design still has manual components, Nike says this achievement proves the concept of a fully automated self-lacing shoe is attainable.

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