Research from the lab is expected to begin informing new Asics running and performance products by 2028.
Asics has opened a new academic research and development laboratory on the University of Michigan‘s Ann Arbor campus.
Called the Asics Michigan Sport Innovation Center (AMSI) Lab, the Japanese athletic brand noted that the facility is designed to “create a more direct path” from university research to real-world sport innovation and product development.
In the lab, university researchers will work alongside Asics scientists, product developers, and athletes to prototype, test, and refine ideas with real-world applications, the company said. It will also support the overall AMSI, a joint research program established through a broader research collaboration between the company and university in December.
To bring the concept to life, ASMI is partnering with six faculty members who will initiate projects spanning biomechanics, materials science, robotics, design, computer vision, and athlete preferences and behavior, with potential applications to future running footwear, apparel, and performance technologies. These faculty members include Ram Vasudevan, Ph.D.; Talia Moore, Ph.D.; Max Shtein, Ph.D.; Sean Ahlquist, Ph.D.; Elliott Rouse, Ph.D.; and Richard Gonzalez, Ph.D.
Asics added that athletes of all levels of participation and performance will provide real-world feedback throughout the research process, helping researchers evaluate how concepts perform outside the laboratory.
As research progresses, Asics noted that findings from AMSI Lab will move into new experiments, technologies, and product concepts, creating a more direct pipeline from academic discovery and athlete insight to real-world innovation.
Research from AMSI Lab is expected to begin informing new Asics running and performance products by 2028, with additional concepts and applications developing over time.
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