Swiss sportswear brand On has unveiled a new, and potentially game-changing innovation this week at the Paris Olympics.
LightSpray is an innovative manufacturing process that uses a robotic arm to spray a recyclable thermoplastic material onto a shoe last, creating a seamless, lace-free upper in minutes.
Is it breakthrough that could to disrupt the $400 billion global footwear market?
Let's take a look.
Developed at the On Labs in Zurich, this proprietary tech could very well be a total shift in both product design and sustainable manufacturing.
Unlike traditional shoe uppers, LightSpray uppers are not built – they are precision-sprayed in a single, automated step using a robotic arm. This revolutionary manufacturing process not only reduces waste and carbon emissions by 75% compared to On's other racing shoes, but it also enables faster production and the potential for more localized, on-demand manufacturing.
And the inspiration for this innovation? A video about how to make Halloween spider web decorations using strings of glue from a hot glue gun.
Marc Maurer, Co-CEO of On in a statement said: "LightSpray marks a significant milestone for On, not only in creating high-performance products but also the potential it has to move us towards a more sustainable, circular future. Our team is constantly challenging itself to rethink the status quo in terms of the design, development, and manufacturing of performance sportswear."
The end result is a one-piece, ultra-thin, and seamless upper that provides exceptional fit, support, and a distinctive aesthetic. On's Cloudboom Strike LS is the first to feature this technology. Weighing just 170g, it's On's lightest shoe yet, making it ideal for race day.
On sponsors several athletes who are competing this summer in Paris, and a handful of them will be competing in shoes using the Lightspray tech. These athletes include marathon runner Hellen Obiri, who ran – and won – the Boston Marathon this spring. She's scheduled to run the Olympic marathon in the newest version.
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MIT Self-Assembly Lab: Researchers at MIT have developed a system for 3D printing and spraying shoes using a robotic arm.
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Reebok's Liquid Factory: Reebok's concept uses a robotic arm to spray liquid rubber onto a shoe last and have been experimenting with 3D printing since 2018.
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Adidas's Speedfactory: Adidas experimented with robotic manufacturing systems that used 3D printing and other innovations. However, it didn't go well.
What do you think - do spray-on shoes signal the future of running shoes? Would you rock the Cloudboom Strike for your next race? Let us know in the comments.
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