Discovering AI Innovation at IFA: Is It Capable of Boosting Your Running Abilities?
AI is making inroads into the fitness industry, impacting both hardware and software sectors. By 2025, wearable technology is everywhere, with numerous individuals sporting smartwatches, fitness bands, or rings to monitor their health and fitness levels. Firms such as Apple, Samsung, and Strava have integrated AI coaching features into their offerings. Nevertheless, AI software in the fitness arena is merely one facet of the overall picture. Hardware manufacturers are also forging ahead with innovative wearable designs that embed AI at their foundation. To gain insight into our current status and future direction, I evaluated Samsung’s Running Coach software and Hypershell’s X Ultra exoskeleton hardware during IFA 2025 in Berlin, Germany.
As a non-professional distance runner, I was curious to see if incorporating AI into my training regimen could provide real benefits. Here’s a summary of my experience.
Personal trainers are here to stay… for now
Samsung introduced the Running Coach feature with the Galaxy Watch 8, and our wearables specialist Michael Hicks put it through the test. His encounter was rather disappointing, as Running Coach misjudged his capabilities. This made me speculate if a less experienced runner like me would be more compatible with the software.
At Samsung’s mobile devices booth at IFA 2025, I completed a brief questionnaire concerning my sleep and running patterns, after which I received a paper indicating my running level and a QR code.
Unfortunately, I encountered the limitations of Running Coach. The feature revolves around fixed objectives that correspond to your running level — I received Level 5 following the brief questionnaire at IFA — with minimal scope for customization.
I believe this approach is flawed, as it makes Running Coach overly concentrated on the objective of completing a race distance that may not appeal to you. Moreover, upon achieving a goal, you move on to the next level without adequate emphasis on consistently being able to cover those distances during training from week to week.
For example, the Level 5 training schedule has me attempting to complete a 10K in under 1:08:20 (11:00/mile) — something I am already capable of. I cannot inform Running Coach that my aim is to improve my 5K time instead of merely preparing for longer distances, or that I would prefer to build the strength to run five times weekly before increasing my distances. This seems like something relatively straightforward for Samsung to implement with a few additional survey questions.
For the time being, I’m opting out of using Running Coach for my personal training program; however, utilizing Gemini AI on the Galaxy Watch 8 has genuinely been beneficial. You can ask it quick questions regarding running routes or stretches. It’s also useful for initiating workouts and managing your running watch without hands.
Hypershell’s X Ultra exoskeleton may revolutionize the market
I also sampled a novel AI hardware wearable at IFA, which belongs to a nascent product category: exoskeletons. This device straps onto your waist and thighs, with a motor on each side designed to lift your legs mechanically. I must admit I was doubtful, and it sounds like something out of a science fiction narrative, but it exists, and it’s known as the Hypershell X Ultra.
The company stated that its purpose is to augment human capabilities. This $2,000 exoskeleton employs AI and machine learning to forecast your next move and offer motorized aid as needed. It leverages data from over 12 sensors along with its AI MotionEngine Ultra, which is based on training data, to adapt to your unique stride pattern. Everyone walks differently, which is why AI and ML are essential.
The device connects with an Android application and is intended for various physical pursuits, such as walking, hiking, and running.
It’s something you truly need to experience to believe; the motorized exoskeleton indeed assists in raising your leg in harmony with your stride to minimize effort. You can sense the Hypershell X Ultra adjusting power and dynamics depending on your activity — an easy way to test this is to move your legs in place while noticing the motors increase their output accordingly.
The added power significantly eased walking, hiking, and stair climbing. I toggled between transparency mode, which temporarily halts assistance, and the Eco and Hyper modes to gauge exactly how much work the exoskeleton was doing.
It’s performing a lot, but I don’t believe AI wearable hardware like the Hypershell X Ultra will enable you to run faster or longer. Not because the device is ineffective, but because you still need to develop cardiovascular stamina to run efficiently.
Additionally, my brief sprints with the Hypershell indicated that the waistband somewhat restricted my movement. The increase in power from wearing the exoskeleton might be offset by less effective running mechanics.
I don’t envision individuals using exoskeletons to surpass their personal records, let alone discussing the “cheating” controversy. However, I do see the potential for runners to utilize exoskeletons as part of their training. The fitness mode on the Hyp
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