Self-lacing sneakers seem to be a thing of Marty McFly’s dreams, but Nike wants to make them a reality and has filed the official patent to do so. Inside the sole of the shoe, a power source pumps a motor that can be activated by a flip of a discreet switch. When the motor runs, it cranks a spool of wire that reels in the laces, tightening them to fit as if you tied them yourself. The self-lacing sneakers are complete with an ankle cinching system and on-board rechargeable battery.
Nike doesn’t have a set schedule to release the self-lacing sneakers but the patent proves it's in the works.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Self-lacing Sneakers
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the potential of self-lacing technology in other industries such as medical braces or industrial safety footwear.
- Smart Footwear
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop smart footwear that can track biometric data and provide real-time feedback for enhanced performance and injury prevention.
- Wireless Charging
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate wireless charging technology in various consumer products, such as smartphones, smartwatches, and electric vehicles.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Footwear Industry
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Embrace self-lacing technology to create customizable and convenient footwear options for consumers.
- Sports Industry
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Leverage smart footwear to enhance athletes' training, performance, and injury prevention.
- Electronics Industry
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Expand wireless charging capabilities to a wide range of electronic devices, revolutionizing how we power and charge our gadgets.
