SIGG, HP Team Up on Custom Running Shoe Platform

SIGG Outdoors formally announced a tie-up with U.S. tech company HP whereby the two companies will jointly research and develop personalized, digital and dynamically customized running shoes worldwide based on the HP FitStation platform.

FitStation, a pioneering 3D technology platform supported by HP’s software and hardware technologies, takes a series of exercise-related measurements from the prospective purchaser, including dynamic gait analysis and foot pressure while walking and running, using 3D scanning and printing technologies. The platform creates a 3D image of each foot as well as measures foot pressure while the person is in motion, among other needed data, to customize a unique pair of running shoes based on the exact contour of the foot, while matching other aspects of the shoe’s construction with their running habits and posture.

At the pre-shows of the last Beijing and Shanghai marathons, SIGG demonstrated the FitStation testing equipment to passers-by and took dynamic foot contour measurements of some who stopped to look so they could have a hands-on experience, attracting much attention from runners.

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has opened the way to fully meeting consumers’ personalized demands, said the companies. With the advent of AI technology, HP, an internationally renowned printer manufacturer, has dedicated itself to the research and development of higher-quality 3D printing technologies with an enhanced performance-to-price ratio, helping consumers benefit from the superiority of high technologies. SIGG and HP agree that the global running shoe market will enter a promising “personalized customization era.”

Old-generation running shoes from traditional production and assembly lines can only meet the most basic expectations from consumers. Yet, each individual has different needs and expectations from their running shoes, and that is influenced by the level of cushioning, the running frequency and even the way that the runner’s foot lands on the ground as he or she takes each step.

Speech by Anouk Patty, Head of Strategic Partnership, HP

To meet the challenge, SIGG focused on producing a personalized running shoe fully contoured to the shoe owner’s foot and responsive to his or her exercise habits after taking precise measurements of the foot contour and an in-depth survey of the runner’s behavior while exercising, with the end result a shoe that delivers the desired running experience. Accordingly, the two companies from two different industries have teamed up to develop and produce professional digital and dynamic customized running shoes.

“The project jointly developed with U.S.-based HP marks SIGG’s entry into the world’s sports goods sector of the future, one that will be characterized by forward thinking and innovation,” said SIGG Outdoors CEO Qi Jun. “We plan to launch several other new sports products leveraging state-of-the-art technologies, which we look forward to jointly developing with world-class high-tech companies.”

Currently, SIGG and HP are introducing version 1.0 customized running shoes and will gradually expand their R&D efforts to the customization of all components of the running shoe, including the outsole and vamp, to produce higher-quality and more affordable wholly-customized running shoes. SIGG sells products to more than 50 countries on six continents.