Adidas To Mass Produce 3-D Printed Shoes

(RTTNews) - Adidas Friday launched a new shes-- the Futurecraft 4D, which sports a 3-D printed sole. The sports shoes company is aiming for mass production in the coming year.

The German company said it has partnered with Silicon Valley start-up Carbon to produce the Futurecraft 4D, with the first 300 pairs being released this month for family and friends. The company will ship around 5,000 later this year and more than 100,000 pairs by the end of 2018.

According to the company, the new 3D printing will allow to make small production runs, limited edition shoes and even soles designed to fit an individual's weight and gait economical.

Carbon, the Silicon Valley start-up that partnered with Adidas to produce the shoe, says that this method of production is faster and more adaptable than traditional additive printing, and can make mass-production 3D printing a reality. Carbon is financed by funds set up by Google and General Electric.

"Digital Light Synthesis allows Adidas to precisely address the needs of each athlete in regards to movement, cushioning, stability, and comfort with one single component," a press release issued by Carbon on Friday said.