Futurecraft Strung seems to be future of sports shoes. German’s top sportswear brand Adidas has revealed its futuristic 3D printed running shoe, calling it as the Ultimate Futurecraft Strung.
Adidas having tie-up with 3D printer manufacturer Carbon introduced Strung sneakers counted as the industry’s first textile printing process. This new data-oriented approach is the combination of software and robotics, allowing footwear to be modelled to the exact contours of an individual runner’s foot.
“Futurecraft 3D is a prototype and a statement of intent. We have used a one-of-its-kind combination of process and material in an entirely new way,” said Eric Liedtke, Executive Board Member of Adidas AG. “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.”
Adidas’ Futurecraft Aspirations
For over five years, Adidas has been working on developing its Futurecraft line of sneakers. The brand initially worked with 3D software Developer Company named Materialise, utilizing advanced 3D foot scanning technology that helps to get the exact measurement of runner’s foot.
With the experience, it gained by working with Materialise, Adidas then collaborated with environmental group Parley for creating Ultraboost Parley Shoes. These shoes were designed using 95 per cent-dredged plastic waste, making it fall under eco-friendly footwear range.
Adidas, along with Carbon, created the first Futurecraft running shoe, utilizing Digital Light Synthesis (DLS). Carbon was able to bring down the production time from 90 to 20 minutes.
On January 2018, the first fully formed pair of 4D sneakers became available for buyers, but with the price tag of $20,000.
Adidas, with its new approach of Futurecraft innovation, has taken 3D sporting approach.
Adidas’ Futurecraft Strung Footwear
Adidas collaborated with Carbon and Materialised for its Futurecraft project to introduce 3D printed running shoe helping athlete with best possible running experience.
The STRUNG process helps to blend athlete data, 3D printing and robotics. The entire structure of STRUNG was developed using 3-Matic data optimized software, allowing midsole to design with complete flexibility. These sneakers come with lightweight lattice upper precisely fitting the flex and breathability, thus forming “cocoon” around the runner’s foot. Sneakers also come with stronger red threads to provide grip in the heel.
Adidas claims that it’s Strung innovation is an upper sidestep from the significant shortcomings of existing woven technologies like Nike Flyknit and Adidas Primeknit. One of the advantages of Strung is it can mix ten vastly different yarns at any angle.
Jon Munns, Adidas VP of Design Future, says, “The design tool interface is quite simple—it’s a lot like [Adobe] Illustrator. But it’s guiding you to make good decisions.”
All its latest running shoes are based on Futurecraft Loop technology and usefully reusable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and no adhesives for holding sneakers together.
“We like to talk about our products silently serving the athlete, and in this case, we are getting more out of every thread so they can focus on nothing but their sport,” said Adidas spokesperson.
The new 3D printed running weighs 220g (7.7oz), and Adidas’ motion-capture tests were based on fast and short-distance sprints.
