The robot that created the Cloudboom Strike LS shoe took pride of place at the event in a glass case taller than most people.
Johannes Voelchert, Innovation Technology Design Lead at On, who has been working on the LightSpray™ project for five years, demonstrated the robot and explained how the technology was used to create the Cloudboom Strike LS.
“LightSpray™ is a process that turns polymer pellets into a fully functional performance shoe in three minutes,” said Ferchert.
This is done by inserting a mold (called the last) and midsole into the unit. The robot begins by establishing a connection between the midsole and the upper part of the shoe, creating the connection by spraying a filament made of polymer pellets onto the last, Felchardt continued. I explained.
On says that by using LightSpray™ to create the upper, they have reduced the number of parts needed to manufacture the shoe. The company’s first shoe to market, the Cloudboom Strike LS, is made of seven parts instead of the usual 30 or so. According to On, this reduces carbon emissions in the shoe’s upper by 75 percent compared to other racing shoes.
“By combining this unique spray technology with robotics, we can now actually control every part of the shoe by speeding it up or slowing it down and influencing its elasticity, support and breathability. ,” said Felchart.
The Cloudboom Strike LS is the first shoe to feature LightSpray™ technology, and as a result, it’s also On’s lightest performance shoe, weighing in at 170 grams (6 ounces), according to the company.
On representatives at the event helped attendees try on the Cloudboom Strike LS shoes and explained how to best wear them. This required me to pull the sides of the upper outward, slide my foot to the front of the shoe, then pull the back of the upper for a snug fit around my ankle.
Attendees at the event could be seen walking around in front of the robots wearing Cloudboom Strike LS shoes, commenting on how light and comfortable the shoes are and how the tread is unique for a performance shoe. But the main topics of discussion were robotics and LightSpray™ technology, with guests excited about other types of footwear and all the ways it could be used in the future to potentially innovate the industry. Ta.
On’s Cloudboom Strike LS shoes will be available for purchase at On Labs NYC on October 30th for members. To learn about upcoming product drops, sign up at on.com/lightspray. Check out On Labs NYC now through November 4th.
