Adidas wants you to 3D-print your own running shoes

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Print out your own specialized sneakers with Adidas' new tech.
Print out your own specialized sneakers with Adidas' new tech.
Photo: Adidas/Futurecraft 3D

Imagine a day when you can turn on your 3D printer and just print out running shoes that match your feet perfectly.

That day may be sooner than you think: sportswear company Adidas let loose a new proof of concept it wants to bring to market soon: 3D-printed running shoes.

Called Futurecraft 3D, this lightweight, high-performance footwear boasts a running shoe midsole that you can tailor to your foot’s own cushioning needs, a clear advantage over buying off the shelf.

Check out the amazing reveal video below.

https://youtu.be/3RucyZiPfjw

While the reveal today is still just a proof of concept, Adidas is serious about making this happen.

“Futurecraft 3D is a prototype and a statement of intent,” Eric Leidtke, an executive board member with the company, said in a statement. “We have used a one-of-its-kind combination of process and material in an entirely new way.”

The 3-D printed midsole will allow high-end athletes and coaching teams a way to adjust running shoes for specific events, races, and runners based on actual performance data gathered as they run. Need a tighter fit? More cushioning for your heel? Just print out another set of shoes.

Adidas is partnering with Belgium-based 3D printing group, Materialise, who lead the pack in additive manufacturing technology (also known as 3D printing).

Calling this the “Futurecraft initiative,” Adidas hopes to announce even more groundbreaking design innovations in the coming six months, so keep an eye on this space.

Source: Adidas
Via: Engadget

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