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Is there no service that uses automation to make custom-fitted shoes yet? This seemed like such an obvious thing to me several years ago when 3d printing and th
by ummonk 8y ago
Is there no service that uses automation to make custom-fitted shoes yet? This seemed like such an obvious thing to me several years ago when 3d printing and the like started becoming a fad, and I figured there would be a startup that did it (or one of the big companies would work on it). But if anyone is doing it, I as a consumer haven't noticed yet. What gives?
I can't see cost being an issue - when you look at how shoe construction works, it should be straightforward to tweak the shoe shape for each shoe without significant increase in manufacturing cost.
- grahn 8y agoSeveral well-known brands are working on this in various ways. Adidas has a cooperation with Carbon 3D to produce individualised soles for shoes you order, as one example[1]. Robotic knitting is another area I know some players are working on, for making custom uppers. You'll likely see offerings for customised footwear based on these technologies appear on the market in the next couple of years. I'd expect it to take a number of years before the manufacturing processes have matured and evolved enough to get the price points down to the level that most people would consider an option when buying footwear, though. [1] https://www.carbon3d.com/stories/adidas/ https://www.carbon3d.com/stories/adidas/