Cool Tech of the Week – Nike’s Self-lacing Shoe

The Nike Adapt BB basketball shoe is a multipurpose performance shoe that adapts to your foot by the press of a button. It features an advanced power-lacing system and an app to connect the pair to your smart device.

Self-lacing is achieved by pressing either of two buttons located on the outside of each shoe. Unlike normal laces that provide a fit on the surface of your foot, the Nike Adapt BB achieves an all-round fit. This system releases pressure from the top and spreads it out evenly, ensuring there is a perfect grip.

The idea behind the technology is simple. Throughout the course of the day, our feet contract or expand depending on different conditions. This is particularly true in sports like basketball. In a game, a loose shoe can affect your ability to manouevre around the court. Conversely, a shoe that is too tight will affect blood flow, increasing your chance of injury greatly. With the buttons on the shoes, though, you have the chance to adjust the tightness easily. For persons outside the basketball court, the app offers the same opportunity to tighten the shoe with a tap.

Through the app, you can change the colours of the button and also check the battery level of the shoe. The shoes come with a charging mat, USB-C cable, and a plug. Once fully-charged, the sneakers can last between 10 to 15 days. With almost enough energy to power a smartphone, the Nike Adapt BB self-lacing shoe proves there is no limit to how far IoT devices can go.