A four-year endeavor that began by studying the science behind 3D printing is now the latest revolutionary technology from Puma and engineers at MIT. On Tuesday, the sportswear brand announced a new street-ready sneaker called Calibrate Runner, featuring new XETIC technology.

“Puma’s innovation department teamed up with MIT Design Lab because we needed their highexpert engineering capabilities,” Romain Girard, Senior Head of Innovation at PUMA said. “MIT has computer simulation possibilities, which enabled us to see the behavior of the material and quickly find the optimal structure for calculated cushioning.”

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After sampling a multitude of different designs, Puma and MIT Design Lab ultimately settled on an outsole construction shaped like the horizontal number 8, which is characteristic for the futuristic visible technology they aptly named XETIC. The name hails from “auxetic materials,” framework that react in a certain way when pressed by mechanical stresses such as compression. At first glance, it may appear made of plastic. But, it’s actually composed of foam. Though ideal for casual display, XETIC promises cushioning with excellent comfort for all wearing occasions.

As companies look to be one step of ahead of their competition, this avant-garde architecture from the German giant is a taste of what sort of mechanics have yet to be discovered and how we can integrate these applied sciences into our daily lives. Brainstorming a concept is no longer the criterion. It’s now about producing an item that is aesthetically appealing, functional across various activities and stands out in a world of uniformity.

Retailing for $140 a pair, the Puma Calibrate Runner featuring XETIC technology will be available in the United States on August 28th online at Puma, Puma Stores, and select retailers worldwide.