NIKE INVESTS IN ACCESSIBLE FOOTWEAR TECH COMPANY HANDSFREE LABS

Nike has invested in the future of accessible footwear with its latest strategic investment, putting funds into the Utah-based company HandsFree Labs.

The investment includes an intellectual property license and allows Nike to have further understanding of HandsFree Labs’ Foot Activated Shoe Technology (F.A.S.T.) solution. The technology allows consumers to step in and out of their sneakers without the use of their hands, making footwear easier for the less abled.

Nike’s partnership will expand its understanding and use of innovative technology that will enable the footwear label to grow its consumer base by providing new products. As reported by Footwear News, Nike’s president of innovation Tom Clarke said, “Our Nike FlyEase platform is aimed at providing greater access to sport for all athletes, and we believe HandsFree Labs’ ‘easy on-and-off’ technology has the potential to broaden and enhance this effort by removing barriers to play and making sport easier for more people.”

Monte Deere, CEO of HandsFree said, “F.A.S.T. is a growing collection of technologies for the footwear industry and an irreversible step forward in the way shoes are made and worn, introducing broad accessibility and convenience in footwear.”