Back to the Future's Nike Self-Lacing Shoes Are Here!
In the iconic 1988 film Back To The Future II, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) wore a pair of Nike trainers that laced themselves, capturing popular imagination. Nike has now confirmed that shoes based on them will now be available from Nov. 28 this year.
Called HyperAdapt 1.0, the shoes were first unveiled in March this year, but Nike's public relations director Heidi Burgett tweeted earlier this week that appointments for experiencing and purchasing them would start in November at select few stores in U.S.
A feature in Wired explains the thought behind the design and technology of the shoes. Simply put, the shoes don't exactly lace themselves but sensors in the shoe detect when the shoe is being worn and a 'lace engine' that controls the laces then swings into action and tightens the laces around the foot based on complex calculations. The company has named the technology "adaptive fit".
The shoes have two buttons which allow the user to tighten or loosen the laces. A LED light embedded in the sole indicates information such as battery life and glows while lacing. The sneakers have a charging point that attaches to a wireless charging pod. According to Wired, it takes around three hours to charge fully and the charge lasts for about three weeks.
The HyperAdapt has been created after 11 years of R&D into the idea, numerous false starts and prototypes. The concept is a little different from what was seen in the film but still an exciting look-see into the future.
Adaptive footwear is part of the latest trend of wearable technology. Nike believes that the footwear will be useful for athletes who need to fit adjustments on the go or at crucial moments in games or a race. The price tag for the shoe is still to be revealed but can be safely assumed to be on the higher end.
