Development of CFRP Plate Spring Footgear for Easier Mobility
In recent years, human augmentation technology has increasingly come under the spotlight as a technology and concept for developing and enhancing human ability through technological advancements. Examples of this technology in the sports industry include carbon prosthetic legs and carbon plates in thick-soled shoes. By wearing these products, users can compensate for lost capabilities and dramatically enhance their current physical abilities.
Mizuno’s Global Research & Development Department has been engaged in research and development of various human augmentation technologies. We considered that carbon technology could be applied to enhance mobility capabilities, and developed footgear equipped with carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) plate springs, aiming to enable easier mobility.
Development Points
In response to ongoing social changes, we saw an opportunity to propose new approaches to mobility by leveraging the carbon design and processing technology that Mizuno has honed over the years. The Global Research & Development Department embarked on developing footwear that enhances personal mobility, enabling individuals to expand their range of movement and enjoy it more freely using their own bodies. This concept redefines footwear as a “means of mobility,” rather than a conventional mode of transport like bicycles or electric scooters.
Prototyping and Testing at the Innovation Center, MIZUNO ENGINE
In developing the footgear, we leveraged the carbon technology honed through our research and development of plate springs for competitive prosthetic legs and adopted CFRP plate springs. Furthermore, the upper section was inspired by track spikes, making use of our accumulated shoe-making expertise. In addition, by utilizing new technologies such as 3D printers and conducting research and development at the innovation center MIZUNO ENGINE, which is equipped with the latest equipment, we achieved significant reductions in prototyping time and cost control in development.
In parallel with development, it was necessary to establish new testing methods and quality standards. We conducted extensive trial and error not only in testing individual materials but also in biomechanical verification.
Design Development through Co-creating with Car Designer Takumi Yamamoto
The design was developed by co-creating with car designer Takumi Yamamoto. Mr. Yamamoto handles a wide range of product designs from spoons to flying cars and even ships, under the motto of “Design for a Better World .” For this project, viewing “footwear as the origin of mobility,” he worked with us from concept development to design. Together, we co-created new values and realized a concept model for the CFRP plate spring footgear.
Trade Show Exhibition
We have named this newly developed CFRP plate spring footgear concept model “MOBILARIA β” and will exhibit it at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 , to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from October 30 to November 9, 2025.
Through the fusion of Mizuno’s sports technology and human augmentation technology, the Human Augmentation Research and Development Section aims to realize a vibrant society in which everyone, including healthy persons, seniors, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and children, can use their own bodies freely, do what they could not do before, and adopt a positive attitude of trying everything that they want to do.
