Have you met EARL?

Introducing the Electro Adaptive Reactive Lacing technology in Nike’s new self-lacing kicks, the HyperAdapt 1.0.

Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the revolutionary sneaker allows wearers to lace up by simply hitting a sensor with the back of their heel and includes two light-up, blue buttons on each side to tighten and loosen strings to the users’ desire.

Hatfield, most famously know for the creation of the Air Jordan, said “Innovation at Nike is not about dreaming of tomorrow. It’s about accelerating toward it.”

“We’re able to anticipate the needs of athletes because we know them better than anybody.”

The zigzag pattern on the soles were inspired by Wall E, the robot from the Disney-animated movie, Hatfield said, according to the New York Daily News.

Still, the futuristic sneaker developed through “deep research in digital, electrical and mechanical engineering into a product designed for movement,” is only the tip of the innovative iceberg for Hatfield and his team.

“Wouldn’t it be great if a shoe, in the future, could sense when you need to have it tighter or looser? Could it take you even tighter than you’d normally go if it senses you really need extra snugness in a quick maneuver?” 

“That’s where we’re headed. In the future, product will come alive.” 

(Photo: Nike)