ASICS and TDK, both official partners of World Athletics, have launched a joint research project to develop a wearable motion-sensing device aimed at helping athletes better understand and improve their performance.
The prototype, currently designed to be worn around the ankle, is in the proof-of-concept phase and uses TDK’s sensor technology to collect detailed movement data.
That data will be processed using ASICS’s sports science expertise, with the goal of offering real-time feedback during training. The companies say they are targeting practical rollout starting in 2027.
The collaboration is designed to address a gap between laboratory-grade motion analysis and the on-the-ground needs of athletes and coaches.
While high-performance training environments often rely on expensive and stationary lab equipment, the ASICS–TDK project aims to deliver field-ready tools that can analyze motion without requiring controlled conditions.
“At the elite level, small differences in form and movement can significantly impact results,” said TDK President and CEO Noboru Saito. He noted that TDK’s existing sensor applications in fields such as automotive and ICT are now being applied to sport to support data-driven coaching and product development.
Initial testing is focused on track and field, but the companies see broader long-term potential. The aim is to eventually create a connected platform that allows athletes, coaches, and product developers to access shared movement data, enabling better communication and more informed decision-making around training and equipment.
The project also aligns with ASICS’s Mid-Term Plan 2026, which outlines a strategy to expand the company’s global R&D capacity and integrate athlete feedback more directly into product development.
ASICS COO Mitsuyuki Tominaga described the initiative as a way to strengthen innovation pipelines by combining research, feedback, and digital tools.
For TDK, the project reflects a broader push under its TDK Transformation vision, which positions sensing technology as a driver of social and industry change. The company, which has worked with World Athletics since 1983, said its involvement in this project builds on that relationship by directly engaging with athlete performance needs.
If successful, the collaboration could offer a more accessible alternative to traditional motion analysis tools and contribute to faster feedback loops between training outcomes and product innovation. It also adds to a growing number of efforts across the industry to apply real-time data collection to athlete development.
The companies have not yet announced commercial plans beyond 2027, and the technology remains in the experimental phase. However, the research underscores a continued interest in bridging performance science and wearable technology in elite sport.
