Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated fashion. For example, information describing a shoe part may be determined, such as an identification, an orientation, a color, a surface topography, an alignment, a size, etc. Based on the information describing the shoe part, automated shoe-manufacturing apparatuses may be instructed to apply various shoe-manufacturing processes to the shoe part, such as a pickup and placement of the shoe part with a pickup tool.

The present invention provides a method (200) of modifying a shoe-last, comprising: acquiring (201) current digital data representing a foot shape; providing (202) reference digital data representing a shoe-last shape to be modified; comparing (203) the current digital data with the reference digital data to design patch shapes and patch positions; providing a shoe-last corresponding to the reference digital data; producing (204) patch elements corresponding to the patch shapes; and applying (204) the patch elements on the shoe-last in accordance with the patch positions obtaining a modified shoe-last. The production and the application of the patch elements on the shoe-last are performed by employing an additive manufacturing technique.

Systems and methods of measuring feet and designing and creating orthopedic inserts are described. A leg length discrepancy of a user is measured and this data, along with foot size are input into a computer. The computer then creates a computer model of a custom shoe insert based on this information. The computer model is then sent to a 3D printer to print the insert. The insert consists of a base insert with partial correction, and several additional layers that are added successively over time until a full correction is obtained. This eliminates any pain associated with a fully corrective insert, and allows the body to adjust gradually to the correction.

A method of making an arch support for an article of footwear at a kiosk includes scanning a foot of a customer who has selected a shoe for purchase, determining dimensions of the customer's foot based on the scan, comparing the dimensions of the customer's foot with pre-determined dimensions of a last used to make the selected shoe, defining a shape characterized by the difference between the dimensions of the customer's foot and the dimensions of the last, and printing the arch support with a 3D printer. The arch support has the shape characterized by the difference between the dimensions of the customer's foot and the dimensions of the last.

A method of automatic shoe lacing is proposed to include steps of: (a) capturing, by a camera system, at least two images of shoelace holes of a shoe from different positions relative to the shoe; (b) acquiring, by a computer device through conducting an analysis according to the at least two images of the shoe, coordinates of the shoelace holes relative to a robotic arm; and (c) the robotic arm lacing the shoe according to the coordinates acquired in step (b).

A smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized, wherein the smartphone device is configured to actively control the configuration of one or more bladders, compartments, chambers or internal sipes and one or more sensors located in either one or both of a sole or a removable inner sole insert of the footwear of the user and/or located in an apparatus worn or carried by the user, glued unto the user, or implanted in the user. The one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, or sipes, and one or more sensors are configured for computer control. A sole and/or a removable inner sole insert for footwear, including one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, internal sipes and sensors in the sole and/or in a removable insert; or on an insole; all being configured for control by a smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized.

Disclosed are embodiments for a dynamic footwear cushioning system. One example embodiment includes: setting a cushioning level for cushioning material in accordance with a first setting; and altering, in dependence upon an environmental condition change, the cushioning level for the cushioning material in accordance with a second setting.

Manufacturing and assembly of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by automated placement and assembly of shoe parts. For example, a part-recognition system analyzes an image of a shoe part to identify the part and determine a location of the part. Once the part is identified and located, the part can be manipulated by an automated manufacturing tool.

Described herein is customized outerwear created through additive manufacturing to provide for a plurality of materials, patterns and shapes that are customized for a particular user. The outerwear is designed through the use of a three-dimensional (3D) model of a body part, such as an additively-manufactured shoe for a foot. The 3D model is analyzed to provide detailed information on the anatomical features of the body part, which aids in the selection of specific materials, patterns of materials and shapes that are integrated into the design of the customized outerwear. The design is then loaded into an additive manufacturing machine, such as a 3D printer, for inexpensive and rapid manufacturing.

A smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized, wherein the smartphone device is configured to actively control the configuration of one or more bladders, compartments, chambers or internal sipes and one or more sensors located in either one or both of a sole or a removable inner sole insert of the footwear of the user and/or located in an apparatus worn or carried by the user, glued unto the user, or implanted in the user. The one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, or sipes, and one or more sensors are configured for computer control. A sole and/or a removable inner sole insert for footwear, including one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, internal sipes and sensors in the sole and/or in a removable insert; or on an insole; all being configured for control by a smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized.