After 67 years since co-founding Reebok, 89-year-old Joe Foster has teamed up with a 25-year-old entrepreneur to launch what they claim is the first commercially sold shoe designed with artificial intelligence.

According to them, the innovative shoe, developed by Ben Weiss and Foster, draws inspiration from yacht and spaceship designs.

“We aimed for a product that feels both elegant and futuristically inspired,” Weiss, CEO of Syntilay based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, explained.

While companies like Nike and Adidas have created 3D printed footwear, these products are not widely accessible to consumers and are often found in limited quantities on resale markets. Foster and Weiss assert that their AI-designed shoe is the first fully 3D-printed product available for public purchase. The launch date is set for January 22.

The shoe is designed as a slider rather than a traditional sneaker, with its top resembling a yacht’s bridge, according to Weiss.

Understanding the Design and Manufacturing of AI-Designed, 3D-Printed Shoes

AI technology, including tools like ChatGPT, played a crucial role in creating the shoe’s design. “Without AI, the outcome would have differed dramatically,” Weiss mentioned.

His team utilized concept images alongside AI to arrive at the final design. They drew inspiration from luxurious yachts and spacecraft and even borrowed artwork from renowned sci-fi artist Syd Mead, known for his work on iconic films like Blade Runner, Aliens, and Tron, integrating those elements into the shoe.

AI was also employed for determining the shoe’s precise shading, Weiss added.

“The process began with initial concepts and artwork generation, followed by sketches from our designer, streamlining the design phase. Ultimately, AI produced a 3D model from this sketch,” Weiss elaborated.

“The remarkable aspect of this is that no one has developed a commercially available shoe using AI,” he continued. “While there have been some conceptual designs, none have truly materialized.”

Although some human oversight was involved, approximately 70% of the shoe’s design involved AI.

John Kim, editor-in-chief of Sneaker News, expressed skepticism regarding the long-term appeal of AI-designed footwear amongst the public.

“Short-term novelty might attract some interest, but the sneaker and fashion communities greatly value the distinct human touch in design,” Kim commented. “For example, while Kanye West is forming an AI team within his Yeezy brand, it’s ultimately his influence that captivates consumers. Without him, the brand would struggle to remain relevant.”

Kim believes AI could assist in the design process, as seen with brands like Nike and Adidas. However, he thinks a shoe created entirely via AI lacks the ‘human essence’ crucial for consumer relationships.

Kim further pointed out that AI’s role is minor when it comes to influencing consumer choices. “People typically choose footwear based on personal style, social status, costs, or comfort. Unless the AI-designed shoe greatly surpasses standards for comfort, it may struggle to capture interest purely based on its AI origins.”

AI Shoe Designers Aim to Stay Ahead of the Trends

In contrast, Weiss and his investors—including his father Farley Weiss and entrepreneur Murray Friedman—hope to capitalize on the emerging trend of AI in consumer product design. They aspire to expand into producing AI-designed products for celebrities and influencers, as well as everyday consumers.

“We believe this technology will shape a significant trend in fashion and apparel,” Weiss stated. “It’s far more efficient than traditional design methods.”

One notable feature of the shoe is the AI-generated fitting process, which scans the customer’s foot with a smartphone app before 3D printing the shoe.

“It aims to provide the best possible fit,” Weiss highlighted. For those without smartphone access, standard shoe sizes remain available as an alternative for fitting.

Reebok Founder Celebrates AI’s Role in Crafting Future Footwear

For Foster, who transformed Reebok into a leading brand for aerobic footwear, participating in the creation of an AI-designed shoe is invigorating.

“You might not achieve high volume, but you’ll create something meaningful,” Foster remarked via video chat.

Joe and his wife, Julie, serve as advisors to Weiss’s company, Syntilay, along with Kevin Harrington—one of the original investors on the show Shark Tank.

While athletic footwear was his primary focus at Reebok, Foster believes sliders and clogs are becoming the next big trend.

He likens the situation to how Reebok evolved from primarily producing running shoes to becoming a formidable name in aerobic footwear, adapting to market needs as necessary.

Initially, the company is banking on the rising demand for sliders.

Is the AI-Designed Slide Shoe Available for Purchase?

Shoppers can order the slip-on shoes directly from the company’s website, www.syntilay.com. Although the shoes come in standard sizes, each pair is customized according to the customer’s foot measurements through a scanning app.

Currently, buyers can choose from five colors—orange, red, beige, black, and blue—priced at $149.99 each.

Each shoe is meticulously 3D printed at a facility in Germany specifically for the buyer. Weiss emphasized a conscious decision to avoid manufacturing in China to mitigate potential price fluctuations resulting from tariffs proposed during Donald Trump’s presidency.

Initially, the company does not plan to produce more than a few thousand pairs due to costs involved and the limitations of current 3D printing technologies.

Customers can expect a production time of four to six weeks after ordering, although Weiss hopes to shorten that timeframe to two to three weeks with each subsequent order.

What Sets This Shoe Apart?

Weiss pointed out the unique features of the shoe, such as its distinct bottom patterns that enhance traction, setting it apart in the slider market.

The company also believes that the growing trend toward working from home will support increased demand for slides.

“People are embracing sliders everywhere,” he noted.

What Lies Ahead for Syntilay and Its Innovative Footwear?

Weiss commented that this launch marks the beginning of using AI for designing individualized shoes and other products for consumers.

“I believe many will take pleasure in sporting something that’s truly cutting-edge,” Weiss concluded.

Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for YSL News. Follow her on X, BlueSky, Facebook, or Instagram @blinfisher. Stephen J. Beard is a graphics journalist. Connect with him at @StephenBeard on X and BlueSky.