As our lives become increasingly controlled by technology, why should our apparel be any different? Nike release an app that you can’t imagine that it is possible to use. The integration of technology in a variety of industries has allowed us to work and play in different ways. For example, the introduction of smartwatches has taken fitness monitoring to new heights, allowing consumers to monitor personal fitness levels and body health daily in a more personalized way.
So why should our trainers be any different? A thought Nike has been pondering over for many years thanks to Back to the Future 2 where we first saw the concept of self-lacing shoes. Getting the right fit on your trainers is key for performance, especially when considering sports, and is something Nike is passionate about bringing to its consumers. They understand the right fit is personal and is complicated as every foot is different.
In early 2019, Nike introduced to the world its first self-lacing basketball shoes, the Adapt BB. The new concept of footwear is designed to provide a custom fit for basketball players as it houses a power-lacing system called FitAdapt which can be adjusted manually or with a smartphone app. The concept of the footwear was to help ease expanding feet during sports.
Following in the footsteps of the Adapt BB, Nike has released their new Adapt Auto Max. All Nike Air Max lovers around the world will know how much the Air Max has evolved over the years, but this has to be its most revolutionary change yet, blasting it into 2020, bringing the future to the past.
(Image of Nike Adapt Auto Max)
The Adapt Auto Max is backed with FitAdapt technology that allows users to set and save the perfect lace fitting for their comfort. The trainers also include tailored lighting enabling users to pick from a range of 13 iconic colors via voice-assisted platforms such as Siri Shortcuts and Google Assist. The lights on the shoes can also be set to pulsate for up to an hour, adding an edge to the footwear design. Users can even personalise their shoes from their Apple Smartwatch by changing the colour and switching up fit modes.
Released in March 2020, the trainers are currently only available in three different colors and one of the most expensive trainers on sale by Nike. The shoes can be controlled via smartphones with an innovative approach that extends into performance features. Consumers of the footwear will, for the first time ever, have two modes to engage with. One mode is tuned for activity and the other for relaxing, giving users the perfect fit no matter their lifestyle. The app also lets users create customized modes.
(Image illustrating different colors of Nike Adapt Auto Max)
In the lead up to creation, Nike did face a few difficulties when designing the shoe. The battle was not just trying to get them to self-lace but to keep the design sleek enough to be attractive and iconic, while being able to house the mechanics to make it all possible. The footwear also had to be lightweight and durable.
The footwear not only contains the full power lacing engine, but it also has Bluetooth technology, and an accelerometer used to measure movement and vibrations in the trainers, and wireless charging. The engine of the shoe sits in the sole, and by pressing the lights, which also function as buttons, you can tie and untie your shoes, if you prefer doing it the old school way.
The trainers are thought to contain a lot more tech inside which has not yet been activated, presenting scope and promise for further adaptive technology integrated footwear still yet to come from Nike in the future. Although Nike may be the pioneers of introducing technology to trainers, we may see lots of other brands jump on the bandwagon too. The future of fashion is sure to have technology integrated into it, and Nike Adapt Max may be the beginning of fashionable tech.
Mary is a freelance tech, gadgets and lifestyle writer based in London. Her work has been featured in HubPages, Tech Crates, Virily and Recently Heard. He runs a blog, An Eye Behind, that focuses on the secret life of London.
