Nike Adapt BB is the Self-Lacing Shoe Which Works With an App

Nike has launched its self-lacing shoes that work with a mobile app but it’s not launching in India for now.

Nike has demonstrated multiple versions of the so-called self-lacing shoes in the past couple of years. Everybody thought we’re never going to see a product that’ll hit the shelves, but it seems the company has finally come up with a shoe called Adapt BB.

This shoe comes devoid of laces. However, the smart Adapt BB (where BB stands for basketball) goes mainstream with its $350 (Rs 24,500 approx) price tag, making it an affordable version of the hi-tech shoes the company has been working on all this while.

Adapt BB works with an app, which controls the technology inside this smart footwear called FitAdapt.

Nike claims that with Nike Adapt BB, it has a platform that offers a custom fit for consumers, thanks to the combination of an advanced power-lacing system, an app and continually updated firmware.

We picked basketball as the first sport for Nike Adapt intentionally because of the demands that athletes put on their shoes

Eric Avar, Nike VP Creative Director of Innovation

The idea is definitely unique and futuristic, but how has Nike managed to pull this off and how does this product work?

When a player steps into the Nike Adapt BB, a custom motor and gear train senses the foot and adjusts accordingly to keep it comfortable. By manual touch or by using the Nike Adapt app on a smartphone, players can input different fit settings depending on different moments of a game. For example, during a timeout, a player can loosen the shoe before tightening it up as they re-enter the game. In a forthcoming feature, they can even prescribe a different tightness setting for warm-ups.

Nike 

Users will also get the option to sign up for firmware updates for the FitAdapt technology as they become available.

Adapt BB works in tandem with the Nike Adapt app, which will be available once the show goes on sale from mid-February onwards.

Shoe with a Battery

The fact that Adapt BB is a smart wearable means only one thing — another battery that needs charging.

But the company has claimed the batteries in the shoe, which power the motor, the gear train and even connectivity with the phone, will last around 14 days. To make everyone’s life easier, the Adapt BB will be shipping with the charging pad, to make sure your shoes don’t run out of juice.

For now, Adapt BB and the FitAdapt system will compliment those playing basketball. But the next phase for FitAdapt will see the technology adapting to other sports, and even make it into a lifestyle product.