Running

While we've seen a number of quadruped "robotic dogs" lately, they all require control motors to maintain their running gait. An experimental new one, however, keeps running on its own once it's been set in motion.

Smart shades have not had the best run (sorry, not sorry, Google Glass), but there have been aspects of the tech that have shown potential when the focus has been on functionality over fad. It's what the creators of Minimis Glass have made a priority.

With its all-new Aerogami running jacket, Nike experiments with a more intuitive, seamless form of ventilation. The jacket's vents automatically open when the runner sweats, providing cooling that doesn't require slowing down or yanking on zippers.

Heated insoles generally rely on batteries to warm icy toes. Solecooler has a different idea, getting its power straight from the source: the feet. Its insoles harness basic stepping motions to generate heating and cooling.

A new study from researchers in Japan offers the first direct investigation into the effects of caffeine on 100-meter sprint running. The findings revealed athletes who dose up on caffeine can run significantly faster sprint times.

For a few years now, Inov-8 has been focusing in on graphene for its trail running shoes. Now it mixes a little nitrogen into the formula. The nitrogen-injected foam adds a light, soft ride and a response so reactive it almost feels like cheating.

New research from scientist at Anglia Ruskin University suggests that more stable communities of gut bacteria can boost performance among endurance runners, and also indicates that diet may play a pivotal role.

With the launch of the Pacer Pro, Polar is aiming to give dedicated runners all the tech needed to plan, track and analyze their training sessions in a lightweight, wrist-worn package that benefits from powerful processing and long battery life.

The latest study to dig into the relationship between exercise and cognitive health shows how just 10 minutes of moderate jogging can boost our mood and executive function, by improving blood flow to a key region of the brain.

Norda's new 001 G+ Spike trail running shoe keeps feet dry and warm through snow, slush and icy puddles with a graphene membrane. Combine that with Dyneema up top and spikes down low, and you have a high-tech running shoe that thrives in winter.

Although running may seem to be one of those things that we "just do," there are right and wrong ways of going about it seriously. Invented by French physiotherapist Vieilledent Frédéric, the iKinesis system is intended to help runners get it right.

It's easier to keep pace or beat your personal bests when running with a partner, rather than alone. A new AR headset called the Ghost Pacer helps you do that even when your friends are busy, by pitting you against a virtual avatar only you can see.