Latest news with #Syntilay
Bloomberg
11 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Startup Backed by Reebok Co-Founder to Design Shoes in Space
A footwear startup is teaming up with two space companies to design a shoe in orbit as part of a mission to make artificial intelligence and blockchain less expensive and more eco-friendly than it is on Earth. OrbitsEdge, a company that supports AI and blockchain applications, and Copernic Space, which offers digital marketplaces for space assets, plan to send a solar- and battery-powered satellite to space equipped with a computer that will use AI automation to produce a shoe design for the Syntilay brand.
Korea Herald
19-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Customized 3D-printed shoe affordable thanks to AI
'Technology doesn't take over, but it helps us do things faster and better,' says Reebok co-founder Joe Foster 'This is my idea. Can you bring me a different take to it?' That's the kind of question Reebok co-founder Joe Foster says designers will increasingly ask artificial intelligence as the technology reshapes the future of fashion and footwear. In a new venture with entrepreneur Ben Weiss, Foster is backing Syntilay, a brand that just launched what it calls the world's first commercially available AI-designed shoe— a futuristic-looking lifestyle slide, priced at $149.99 and custom-fitted using a smartphone scan. Speaking from Bangkok in a Zoom interview with The Korea Herald, Foster said the role of AI in footwear is not about replacement, but about expansion. 'What AI will do is that when a designer comes up with an idea and wants to look at four or five different versions, he can get four or five hundred. That's going to allow for much more variation, much more choice,' he said. 'The human instinct is to be different. But AI lets us explore ideas we might never have the time or ability to develop on our own.' The Syntilay slides are manufactured in Germany and available in five colors. About 70 percent of their design was generated using AI tools. From initial concept art inspired by spaceships and yachts to the final 3D modeling and surface patterning, artificial intelligence played a central role in shaping the look and function of the shoe. 'We used AI to co-generate concepts. Then we refined them into sketches and fed them into another AI that created the 3D model,' said Ben Weiss, Syntilay's CEO, who joined the interview from Florida. 'Then we used generative AI again to build in futuristic textures. One of the prompts we used was Syd Mead-style sci-fi, and it really gave the design that bold edge.' Mead was a neo-futurist concept artist particularly known for his work with "Blade Runner." For Foster, the Syntilay project is a return to the kind of startup energy that marked the early days of Reebok. 'When it's big, it gets — well, I can't say boring — but you do lose that excitement,' he said. 'Now, with Ben, that's brilliant work. We're back digging again, doing something different. That's the reason that when Ben asked, 'Can you help?' I said, 'I don't know, but I'll try.'' Foster, who stepped away from Reebok before the digital age transformed business, said technology is something today's generation needs to embrace. 'Nowadays, it's technology. And 3D printing, well, it's brilliant. It speeds things up. Technology doesn't take over, but it helps us do things faster and better.' Weiss said the goal behind Syntilay is much larger than a single product. 'Our big vision is to become the creator shoe company,' he said. 'There are more influencers today than professional athletes, and they've never had access to personalized footwear like this. They've got hoodies and hats and merch, but no shoes. We want to change that.' Weiss explained that by eliminating the need for molds and traditional mass production, Syntilay can go from concept to ready-for-sale shoe in just three months. 'It solves the three biggest problems — time, cost and access,' he said. 'Now we can make shoes for people who were previously unbackable.' Still, some have questioned the durability of 3D-printed footwear. Weiss acknowledged that concern, but said their production partner, Zellerfeld in Germany, has refined the process. 'Our shoes are built with internal structural supports. They're breathable, they're cushioned and they're comfortable. When people try them, they're shocked.' Each pair is tailored to the customer through a smartphone foot scan that collects 12 key measurements, including arch height, width and length. 'It's a level of fit you usually only get with high-end, handmade shoes,' Weiss said. 'But we're offering it at a $150 price point.' Syntilay is already shipping globally, including to South Korea, a market Weiss is keen to grow in. 'It's an exciting market — K-pop, streetwear, beauty, it's all connected. We want to bring this tech and this aesthetic to different cultures in a way that feels authentic,' he said. Foster said his advice to Weiss has been about the long game. 'It's persistence. It's understanding that nothing happens overnight,' he said. 'You've got to learn the business deeply — know how the industry works, and then challenge it.' As for marketing, Foster believes AI is as much a communication tool as it is a creative one. 'You can use the word AI in your pitch, and it becomes interesting,' he said. 'It grabs people's attention. And attention is the start of everything in this business.' While Syntilay's first shoe has made a strong impression, both Foster and Weiss said the work is just beginning. 'You turn the corner, and maybe that's where the breakthrough is,' Foster said. 'You don't stop. You keep pushing. That's how you build something that matters.'
Fox News
05-02-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Fox News AI Newsletter: AI takes big step forward with 3D-printed shoe
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER: - World's first AI-designed, 3D-printed shoe wants to be the next Crocs - Trump's AI czar flags report questioning DeepSeek's cost of developing AI models - Wheeled wonder robot dog shows off crazy dance moves in all kinds of tough terrain INNOVATIVE STEP FORWARD: Syntilay, a startup with a sparkle in its eye and artificial intelligence on its mind, has just unveiled what it claims to be the world's first entirely AI-designed and 3D-printed shoe. SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: President Donald Trump's artificial intelligence czar, David Sacks, is pointing to evidence that China's DeepSeek AI startup spent a lot more money developing its models than has been reported. ROBOT'S GOT MOVES: Deep Robotics, a Chinese robotics firm, recently unveiled its latest innovation in quadruped robotics, the Lynx. SPUTNIK MOMENT: If you care about national security, artificial intelligence (AI) or the index funds in your retirement account, you have likely heard of DeepSeek. Chinese AI model DeepSeek's release late January caused a $969 billion stock market selloff and prompted responses from AI leaders like President Donald Trump, NVIDIA, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. AUTONOMOUS BIG RIGS: Are you ready to share the road with massive semi-trucks cruising down the highways next to you without a human driver? Well, that is one step closer, thanks to the groundbreaking partnership between Kodiak Robotics and Atlas Energy Solutions. These innovative companies have just pulled off something incredible. They successfully launched the first-ever commercial driverless trucking operation. FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA FacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitterLinkedIn SIGN UP FOR OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERS Fox News FirstFox News OpinionFox News LifestyleFox News Health DOWNLOAD OUR APPS Fox NewsFox BusinessFox WeatherFox SportsTubi WATCH FOX NEWS ONLINE STREAM FOX NATION Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here.
Fox News
31-01-2025
- Business
- Fox News
World's first AI-designed, 3D-printed shoe wants to be the next Crocs
Move over, Crocs. There's a new contender in the world of unconventional footwear. Syntilay, a startup with a sparkle in its eye and artificial intelligence on its mind, has just unveiled what it claims to be the world's first entirely AI-designed and 3D-printed shoe. This futuristic footwear is turning heads and raising eyebrows in equal measure. Syntilay, whose name is derived from "scintillate" (meaning to sparkle), is the brainchild of 25-year-old entrepreneur Ben Weiss. The company's journey from concept to creation is as unique as the shoes themselves. Using Midjourney AI, they generated the basic shape, which was then sketched by an artist. This sketch was transformed into a 3D model using Vizcom AI, and finally, generative AI added the distinctive patterns and textures. Ben tells CyberGuy, "AI designing shoes is going to disrupt the category because of the incredible speed to go to market. New releases for traditionally made shoes take around 18 months for a model to release, with AI making them and 3D printing, that is now only a few months." One of Syntilay's standout features is its commitment to personalized comfort. Before you can slip your feet into these futuristic slides, you'll need to scan your feet using your smartphone. This ensures a custom fit for each customer, even accommodating those with different-sized feet. Available in five colors – blue, black, red, beige and orange – these shoes are priced at a not-so-modest $149.99 per pair. While Syntilay is pushing the boundaries of shoe design, they've also got some serious old-school cred in their corner. Joe Foster, the co-founder of Reebok, is lending his expertise to the project. With Foster's experience in building a $4 billion shoe empire, Syntilay is hoping to make big strides in the footwear market. Syntilay's ambitions extend far beyond selling a few thousand pairs of quirky slides. They're eyeing the $85.8 billion U.S. footwear market, with plans to open their platform to brands and content creators. This could potentially allow influencers and brands to design and sell their own AI-created footwear, tapping into a market that has traditionally been difficult for non-shoe companies to crack. In an age where environmental concerns are at the forefront, Syntilay is putting its best foot forward. The shoes are 100% recyclable, with customers able to return them at the end of their life to be transformed into new products. This closed-loop system could potentially revolutionize the footwear industry's approach to sustainability. Whether Syntilay becomes the next Crocs or fades into obscurity remains to be seen. However, their innovative approach to design and manufacturing is undoubtedly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in footwear. As AI and 3D printing technologies continue to evolve, we may be witnessing the first steps towards a revolution in how we design, produce and consume fashion. What do you think? Are AI-designed, 3D-printed shoes the future of footwear or just a passing fad? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
