Nike’s Marty McFly-inspired self-lacing sneakers finally have a release date. The futuristic sneakers will go on sale in a limited number of stores on November 28, according to Engadget.
The HyperAdapt 1.0, with what Nike calls “adaptive lacing,” was first teased as a prototype in a video with Michael J. Fox in 2015, and the final product was officially announced in March. However, we’re still waiting on information on how to make the appointment required to purchase a pair.
For now, users will still have to adjust the fit manually, but one day, the company hopes to create shoes that can sense exactly how snug you need the fit to be for different maneuvers.
Here’s how the HyperAdapt 1.0 works, according to a statement from Nike’s technical lead on the project, Tiffany Beers: “When you step in, your heel will hit a sensor and the system will automatically tighten. Then there are two buttons on the side to tighten and loosen. You can adjust it until it’s perfect.”
The shoes are made for athletes, but as Nike’s partnership with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research indicates, they could also be useful for people with diseases or disabilities that make it difficult to accomplish fine motor tasks like tying shoes.
[h/t Engadget]
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September 21, 2016 – 12:00pm