ASICS already makes some of the best running shoes in the world, and it just put $25 million behind making them better.
On October 22, I was in Ann Arbor as the brand and the University of Michigan opened the ASICS Michigan Sport Innovation Center, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and four elite ASICS runners in the crowd. I wanted to see what that major investment means for the future of sport.
The Lab
The day centered on lab tours, and my first stop was Elliott Rouse’s Neurobionics Lab. His team’s ankle exoskeleton attaches to an ASICS METASPEED EDGE TOKYO and helps push the runner forward. Most exoskeletons run on batteries and need constant recalibration.
This one is spring-driven, and its AI makes real-time adjustments simple. Ankle stiffness is a direct driver of speed, and the device lets you increase it. It also lets an injured athlete train while protecting the injury, or gives active assistance to someone with limited mobility. The team hopes for a public version soon.
On Thursday, U-M celebrated the official ribbon cutting of the ASICS x Michigan Sport Innovation, a research effort with the goal of advancing human performance and sport science through a multi-year research collaboration. pic.twitter.com/j9vyxvWsBI
— University of Michigan (@UMich) October 23, 2026
From there, Talia Moore studies animal movement, which is impressive but not perfect. Her goal is to keep the best adaptations and leave the rest. Think grip fibers modeled on gecko feet, or a trainer built around the ibex hoof, which stays steady on uneven ground…