It’s interesting that the excitement over Futurecraft 4D for adidas is greater than the excitement for Under Armour’s Architech Futurist.
Check Out The Under Armour ArchiTech Futurist | If This Was The Curry 4…
I guess the use of a 4D method created by Carbon is more advanced than 3D, but the excitement and engagement on social media is probably more about how adidas is continuing to ride the success of 2016 by generating exciting concepts and marketing in 2017. It also helps that opposed to the limited offerings of new technology of other brands (Vapor Max and Futurist) to come out of the gate with 100,000 pair on such an amazing project it shows that adidas is not slowing down in their pursuit of regaining marketshare on a global scale.
I’m sure a ton of testing is being done on this footwear, but there is something inherently unsettling for me in regard to these outsoles as performance wear. While design is leaning more towards minimalist elements that are stronger and more lightweight, in performance footwear, with the torque and compression athletes created during events I almost feel that this footwear is more about the R & D than actual functionality. Ultimately a midsole will have to be layered with a rubber (or similar) compound on the outsole, but I guess that’s another discussion. More info via adidas below. Use the source link for a detailed discussion.
Digital Light Synthesis was created by CARBON, a Silicon Valley-based tech company working to revolutionize product creation through hardware, software, and molecular science. This new take on manufacturing enables adidas designers, sports scientists and engineers to bring even the most intricate designs of their imagination into physical reality. More importantly, it overcomes shortcomings of conventional additive manufacturing methods (i.e. 3D printing)- such as: low production speed and scale, poor surface quality, and color and material restrictions. Without these limitations posed by traditional production methods, adidas can now bring the best and most innovative products to consumers faster than ever.
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