Technical Description of Self-lacing Shoes
Israel Osorio
The City College of New York
Table Of Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………… Pg. 3
History………………………………………………………………………………. Pg. 3
Innovator……………………………………………………………………………. Pg. 3
Need For Innovation…………………………………………………………………Pg. 4
Body…………………………………………………………………………………………. Pg. 4
Nike HyperAdapt…………………………………………………………………… Pg. 5
Nike AdaptBB………………………………………………………………………. Pg. 6
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….. Pg. 7
References…………………………………………………………………………………… Pg. 8
Illustrations/Images………………………………………………………………………… Pg. 9
Introduction
Self-lacing shoes has changed the evolution of sneakers, it has changed our mindset on what we think shoes can be or can become to be. Self-lacing shoes, it’s exactly what it sounds like, shoes that lace itself but it’s more than that.
History
Back to the Future Part II, a movie directed by Robert Zemeckis was released back in 1989, this movie got so many people thinking whether the future was going to be like that or simliar to it. Some concepts of the movie actually came to be such as the hoverboards, drones and even Self-lacing shoes. You can say that we got a first glance of this type of shoe, a shoe with a self-lacing system. Basically in the movie(Link #1), Marty McFly was sitting on his flying car putting on the iconic NIKE Air Mags(fg. 1), a shoe in which would come out 27 years later on October 4, 2016 by raffle meaning people would pay $10 for a ticket to get a shoe that was limited to 89 pairs. Now, this pair of shoes can easily go for $45k, due to being considered the first shoe with auto-lacing technology.
Innovator
The innovator or the creator of the idea was Tinker Hatfield, designer of Nike. This legendary Nike designer is also responsible for other Nike Air Max and iconic Air Jordans. For example, he explains that, “Many, many years ago, I worked on a movie called Back to the Future and they asked me to design something for the year 2015,” Hatfield said. “I was trying to think 30 years through the future, and I thought that in that future shoes might come alive, sense who you are and become the right shape for your foot.”
Need For Innovation
A few months later specifically in December, along with Hatfield another designer came along, this was Tiffany Beers. Together they designed a whole new concept, a new idea in which they believe it could change the “sneaker game”. This shoe was called the Nike HyperAdapt, a similar concept as the Nike Air mag but slightly different based on the shape and form of the shoe. Also, all though it may not be for everyone, it is showing that sneakers are becoming something else, now that technology is being incorporated it is eliminating all those insecurities we may have such as tripping over your own shoelace, people not wanting to tie their shoes because its considered “a waste of time” and also just not caring anymore about whether it matters for your shoes to be tied or not. In other words, it could be useless to many people but it is just showing how technology is becoming something bigger especially on shoes, an item in which we have on for 75% of our day.
Body
To first explained how this works, don’t think as if your shoelaces are being tied like a knot, instead the whole self-lacing shoe concept works by the shoe’s “adaptive lacing” technology which features a heel sensor that automatically tightens the shoe laces. In other words, once you place your foot inside the shoe, the adaptive lacing system will instantly work on itself meaning it will adjust to your foot and will know whether your foot is secured or not. Therefore, you wont have to do anything, instead you will realize the magic coming from this shoe.
Nike HyperAdapt
In December of 2016, Nike released it’s first official innovation with “autolacing” technology. This shoe was the Nike HyperAdapt(Fg. 2), it retailed at a shocking price of $720 and can go for $700-$2,000 depending on the size. NIKE described this whole concept as “Welcome to the future of footwear.” On Nike’s website it introduces the shoes in such way, “Step into a shoe that comes to life when you put it on. It lights up. It senses you. It adjusts to the shape of your foot and activity in real time. You run, it runs. You jump, it jumps. It’s a revolution disguised as a robot, disguised as a self-lacing shoe.” This is all programmed by E.A.R.L. (Electric Adaptable Reaction Lacing) E.A.R.L. is the technology that makes self-lacing shoes possible. It electronically adjusts the lacing, pressure and fit to the contours of your foot. The way in which this works is the following, once you put your foot inside and your heel hits the sensor, E.A.R.L. automatically tightens until the fit is perfect. From there, once the shoe starts flashing, the system starts tightening. NIke encourages their audience in purchasing this shoe by showing its benefits through quotes such as “IN THE FUTURE, THERE ARE NO LACES. No loose laces. No distractions.” and “COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE. The perfect fit, every time.” To get their audiences attention, Nike honors a pair to professional soccer star, Cristiano Ronaldo(link #7), anc was seen as the first individual to try out the NIKE HyperAdapt. He stated “ this is why its the best brand in the world” The Nike headquarters knew this would work, gifting a pair to Ronaldo to try on and see his reaction because Ronaldo in itself has so many fans but when adding Ronaldo to Nike, it automatically makes the audience wanting to get this pair of shoes because they have seen it from someone in which they admire.
Nike Adapt BB
Three years later, NIKE decided to take it to a whole new level, it involved something different, something we wouldn’t think we would see. This new shoe concept would be called the NIKE Adapt BB(Fg.3), a shoe in which was introduced by NBA player, Jayson Tatum from the Boston Celtics. This shoe would become the first power lacing shoe that’s built for basketball. It works the same way as the HyperAdapt but much better, now you can control it with the use of your phone, an app linked with the shoe to tightened the left and right shoe. In addition, NIKE has created a chip that would be placed under the shoe, the sole for one main reason that being you would not like to feel the chip touching your feet and making it uncomfortable therefore Nike places it under the shoe where they knew that it would not have contact with the person’s foot. This chip is a small engine inside the midsole. It pulls the laces to tighten the Flyknit and quad-axial mesh upper. As Nike FitAdapt technology has evolved, the engine has become smaller and lighter, enabling more applications across more sports. Also this shoe is powered like a phone meaning you would have to recharge the shoe itself with a wireless charger, this works by placing both shoes on a mat, from there, the lights will automatically change based on its battery level. The good thing from this is that, If the battery runs out while you’re wearing them, Your shoes will still unlace so you wont ever have to worry about you feet being stucked to the shoe.
Conclusion
Overall, we’re living in the future, simple as that. New concepts are being made and are being added into our footwear. This concept can work but we won’t really know if we actually have a pair in hand and one that we can actually try out. Yes, others may critique it due to having concerns of whether it can cause injuries, maybe overheat and possibly making the shoe to blow up or instead this type of shoe not being particularly for you. From what we have seen, only athletes have been experiencing these new self-lacing shoes. Therefore, if your in favor of this shoe don’t hesitate to try it out because in the end you are the one making your own decisions and as long as your comfortable in the way you do it, thats all that matters.
References
Illustrations/Images
Figure #1
Nike Air Mag
Price; $45,000
Figure #2
Nike HyperAdapt
Retail Price: $700
Resell Price: $600 +
Figure #3
Nike Adapt BB
