Rivalry in the sportswear industry is mounting, as Adidas unveil their own brand new concept: a Futurecraft 3D printed sneaker.
The idea works by having a customer visit an Adidas store and having a perfected form-fitted midsole created from a foot scan.
The scanning process wouldn’t just be limited to a static 3D model of your feet, however.
Adidas would also conduct a running test on a treadmill, and then construct your midsole based on the data procured after your run — helping to create the right midsole for your stride.
“Imagine walking into an Adidas store, running briefly on a treadmill and instantly getting a 3D-printed running shoe,” Adidas says in a press release. “This is the ambition of the Adidas 3D-printed midsole.”
They claim they have developed proprietary 3D printing tech to deliver this product in the future.
“Our 3D-printed midsole not only allows us to make a great running shoe, but also to use performance data to drive truly bespoke experiences, meeting the needs of any athlete.”
When will Futurecraft 3D be launched?
“It is how we challenge ourselves every day to explore the boundaries of our craft. Driving material and process innovation, bringing the familiar into the future. Marrying the qualities of hand crafting and prototyping with the limitless potential of new manufacturing technologies.”
Currently, though, we’re not clear on how scanning or fabrication would work. No details have been revealed other than the concept video and a press release. At an educated guess, the process involves laser sintering in a bed of powder.
No launch date has been set for the Futurecraft 3D, but further announcements are to be made in early 2016. The timing is uncanny, though, a calculated poke in the eye to arch-rivals Nike, who at this stage have limiting themselves to mere speculation about 3D printing technology.
What do you think? Do you fancy going for a run in a pair of custom 3D printed kicks?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RucyZiPfjw
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