Nike is exploring a new frontier in performance footwear with Project Amplify, a prototype line of robotic trainers designed to enhance human running efficiency through powered assistance. Developed in partnership with Massachusetts-based robotics firm Dephy, the experimental shoes combine biomechanics and robotics to help runners move faster and with less effort — a concept Nike likens to “an e-bike for your legs.”
Project Amplify integrates a lightweight motor, drive belt, and carbon fiber plate, powered by a rechargeable battery mounted around the calf. The system provides a subtle mechanical boost to mimic the natural motion of calf muscles, supporting propulsion without disrupting gait. According to Nike, the goal is to maintain a natural running feel while reducing fatigue and improving performance, particularly on inclines. Early testing suggests the shoes can make uphill running feel equivalent to running on flat ground, with some athletes reportedly cutting up to two minutes off their mile times.
The development process for Project Amplify has been extensive. Nike and Dephy engineers have reportedly logged more than 2.4 million test steps with over 400 athletes to refine the mechanics and safety systems. The result is a pair of trainers that look surprisingly close to Nike’s standard neon designs, despite housing a full suite of robotic components.
Nike’s move into powered footwear builds on years of experimentation with adaptive and responsive technologies, including self-lacing systems like the Adapt line. Project Amplify represents a step beyond reactive design, pushing into active performance augmentation — an area typically associated with wearable robotics and exoskeletons.
In addition to Project Amplify, Nike’s Mind Space Department introduced two other experimental shoes, the Mind 001 and Mind 002. These models use specialized foam nodes that replicate ground texture to heighten sensory awareness and concentration, a concept drawn from neuroscience research into sensory feedback and athletic focus. Both are expected to launch in January 2026 as part of Nike’s new Mind line.
While Project Amplify remains in the testing phase, Nike has indicated that it plans to expand trials over the next several years. If successful, the technology could mark a shift in how performance footwear assists athletes — trading passive cushioning for active mechanical support. Whether runners embrace robotic trainers as the next evolution of performance gear remains to be seen, but the company’s latest prototypes suggest a future where speed and endurance may come as much from motors as from muscle.
