Nike Unveils Robotic and Neuroscience-Based Footwear Concepts Nike is pushing the boundaries of footwear yet again, moving beyond self-lacing shoes and recovery boots into the realms of robotics and neuroscience. The company has introduced Project Amplify, a robotic shoe concept, and the Nike Mind line, footwear designed to alter your mental state. Project Amplify, developed in partnership with robotics startup Dephy, is described as acting like a second set of calf muscles. It is aimed at everyday athletes who want to walk or run longer distances. The first-generation model is a running shoe integrated with a carbon fiber plate, a rechargeable battery mounted on the calf, a motor, and a drive belt. While it looks like a typical neon running shoe, its underlying technology is a refined version of the robotic shoes Dephy already develops. This system does not replace the users ability to move their legs. Instead, it augments their effort, making it easier to go further and faster. Nike compares the experience to riding an e-bike, where an electric motor assists your pedaling rather than replacing it entirely. The company claims Project Amplify can make walking or running uphill feel like moving on flat ground. In testing, it reportedly helped some athletes reduce a 12-minute mile to a 10-minute mile. The development process involved over 400 athletes and covered the equivalent of roughly 12,000 laps around a track. This fusion of a fashion brand with robotics follows a similar path to other recent products, like Arc’teryx’s MO/GO pants, which are robotic trousers developed with Skip to aid hikers with balance and endurance. Project Amplify represents a more compact approach to bringing robotic assistance into consumer wearables. In a different direction, Nike is also venturing into neuroscience-based footwear with its new Mind line. Created by the Nike Mind Science Department, the first two models are the Mind 001 mules and the Mind 002 sneakers. These shoes feature unique foam nodes in their soles that are designed to transmit the texture of the ground to the wearer’s feet. Nike states that this heightened sensory awareness can help clear away distractions and enhance concentration. The Nike Mind 001 and Mind 002 are scheduled to go on sale in January 2026 as the inaugural products in the Nike Mind collection. As for Project Amplify, Nike has announced plans for a broad consumer launch in the coming years, signaling a future where shoes could actively augment both physical performance and mental focus.
