Artificial intelligence is increasingly being deployed across the footwear industry, with applications ranging from optimizing design and production to managing supply chains and creating smart footwear.
As part of the international conference organized under the FAIST Agenda* last November, AI and data science expert Beatriz Faria brought some insights into how artificial intelligence (AI) is being implemented across the footwear industry.
AI is already in use Footwear product concept and design,Even in optimizing beauty and functionality. These applications enable rapid prototyping, such as through 3D printing, and support customization and material selection by evaluating physical properties, cost efficiency, and environmental impact. Examples include NewArc, a platform that turns sketches into realistic 3D designs, and Volumental, a 3D scanner that can take foot measurements in seconds.
On the production side, AI is widely used. Enables tasks such as cutting, sewing, and assembling parts You'll be able to do it faster and more accurately. It is also increasingly used in quality control and manufacturing processes, allowing real-time adjustments on the factory floor. As an example, Swiss sportswear brand ON has opened a new factory where robots can produce running shoe components in just five minutes through a fully automated process. Meanwhile, KIN is planning a new facility that will rely on robots to handle more demanding production tasks.
At the supply chain management level, AI-powered tools can be used to Forecast product demand based on sales data, social media trends, or economic indicators. These tools help you maintain optimal inventory levels, reduce unused inventory, and plan production. AI can also transform logistics by optimizing robotics for logistics, automating inventory management, and evaluating suppliers.
Finally, Applied to the development of smart footwear. It sounds like the future, but it's already reality. It can be used to monitor performance, track people with visual impairments, measure the performance of athletes, monitor the elderly and soldiers, and monitor the health of patients with movement disorders or certain conditions such as diabetes or heart problems.
In this context, Beatriz Faria argues that to harness the potential of AI, it is essential to understand how it works, even at a fundamental level. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that adaptability is the key to success in this new era.
Source and image credit: apiccaps.pt
