Under Armour has set out to completely change the game of athletic shoe and apparel design with the Lighthouse, its new product design facility and innovation lab. Located in Baltimore, the 140000 square foot facility opened on June 28th, 2016. The Lighthouse is host to numerous robots and machines created to develop products in innovative ways. A great example is the Lectra, an incredibly fast and efficient laser cutter that carves out fabric in a manner that creates minimal textile wastage.
The facility is also home to machines that aid in shoe development like the one-man operated robot which glues soles to shoes at lightning speed. The machine can glue 2400 pairs of shoes in just eight hours, saving time and money in the long run.
Along with the many robots and machines, the new product design facility also features a 3D body scanner that can take photos of people in action and create 3D avatars. This allows for custom designs for specific athletes. By housing designers, developers and engineers under the same roof, Under Armour anticipates revolutionary changes in how products can be made.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Athletic Shoe and Apparel Design
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore advanced robotic technology to enhance the speed and efficiency of designing and manufacturing athletic shoes and apparel.
- Fabric Laser Cutting
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop laser cutting machines that minimize textile wastage through precise and efficient carving techniques.
- 3D Body Scanning
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Utilize 3D body scanning technology to create personalized and custom designs for athletes, providing a competitive edge in the market.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Athletic Footwear
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate robotics and automation in the manufacturing process to increase production speed and reduce costs for athletic footwear.
- Apparel Manufacturing
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate fabric laser cutting technology to optimize material usage and improve efficiency in the production of athletic apparel.
- Sports Equipment
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Embrace 3D body scanning technology to develop customized sports equipment that enhances performance and comfort for athletes.
