Is the Future of Shoes Here!? Adidas Continues Their Mission with 3D Printing Technology for Sole Development

Adidas has released the latest collection "4DFWD," which merges accumulated athlete data with unique, cutting-edge 3D printing technology to offer runners a new running experience. Why is Adidas leveraging 3D printing technology for midsole construction, and what updates have been made in "4DFWD 2" compared to its predecessor? We spoke with Tomohisa Yamaguchi, Senior Manager of Category Planning at the Adidas Marketing Division.
 
Let's take a brief look back at the history of Adidas and 3D printing technology. The first shoes utilizing Adidas' 3D printing technology were unveiled in 2015 as a prototype with the 3D-printed running shoe midsole "Futurecraft 3D." The following year in 2016, the "3D RUNNER" was commercialized and sold in limited quantities in London, New York, and Tokyo, creating quite a buzz.

In 2017, Adidas entered into a partnership with American 3D printer manufacturer Carbon, marking the full-scale beginning of 3D-printed shoe development. The first product to be officially sold in Japan was the "ALPHAEDGE 4D," released in November 2018, which, like the "4DFWD," was developed using Digital Light Synthesis technology, creating UV-cured polyurethane mixed resin through light and oxygen.