Customized Segmentation of Footwear based on Functional Biomechanical Variables

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Finding the right shoe for the right person is an important task because having the correct footwear for a person is thought to lead to reduced risk of injury, increased comfort, and improved performance. Current shoe manufacturers produce minimal models of footwear that are thought to meet the requirements of the entire population, but anyone who has ever bought a pair of shoes knows this is not the case. In an ideal world, we would be able to customize a person’s footwear to their needs. In fact, just as a tailor can customize a suit, footwear companies now have the technology to customize shoes. For example, manufacturers can leverage the use of 3D printing to design material and construct a shoe that is perfect for an individual. Although the technology is available, the knowledge of what shoe construction features are optimal for an individual are not known. Further, it is unknown what essential variables measured from an individual are needed for customized shoes. The ability to customize footwear is at our fingertips, but the void in knowledge of how to effectively use technologies, such as 3D printing, is preventing this exciting individualization of footwear from becoming a reality.