Nike Blends Robotics and Running for the Future of Wearables

What’s happening: Nike just unveiled a new wave of innovation that blurs the line between footwear, robotics, and neuroscience. At the center is Project Amplify — a powered running shoe co-developed with Massachusetts-based robotics firm Dephy. The prototype features motorized assistance built into the midsole and cuff, designed to reduce strain and help athletes move faster and farther with less effort. Nike calls it the world’s first powered running system for everyday athletes.

Alongside it come three more performance-science breakthroughs:

• Aero-FIT: cooling technology that channels more than 2x the airflow of previous Nike fabrics — made entirely from recycled textile waste.
• Nike Mind: the brand’s first neuroscience-based footwear, including the Mind 001 mule and Mind 002 sneaker, designed to activate sensory nodes in the foot to help athletes stay calm and focused.
• Therma-FIT Air Milano: outerwear using Nike Air-infused baffles that let wearers adjust warmth in real time — shifting from hoodie-light to puffer-level insulation.

Why it matters: This lineup signals a pivotal shift in Nike’s approach to performance. The focus isn’t just on lighter or faster — it’s on intelligent adaptation. From cooling fabrics to neural stimulation and robotic assistance, Nike’s performance science division is merging biomechanics, neuroscience, and sustainability to create gear that works with the athlete, not just for them.

The Playbook Take: Nike’s new innovation engine is turning wearables into teammates. With robotics guiding stride, neuroscience fueling focus, and sustainability built in, the future of performance isn’t about data — it’s about real-time human optimization.