Hacker News Reader

Comment by dsego | Hacker News Reader

I have problems ordering shoes online and getting the fit right. Depending on brand and type of shoe, I can be anywhere between 44 and 46. And then the US and EU size and cm don't match up, my Onitsuka are 11-45-28.5 and fit exactly the same as Chucks, which are 11-44.5-29. But cycling shoes are the worst, and I have to buy those online, because local bike shops don't offer a huge choice. Had to return a pair of Giro two times, first size 45, then 45.5 and 46 was the one that fit. We need more standardized sizing, but how to get all manufacturers on board? And how about a 3D foot scanner and online filters which pick the correct size based on your 3d foot model?

View on HN

Phones with depth sensors could be helpful here. It’s actually possible to do photogrammetry with just the camera, but the depth sensors make it easier and more reliable.

What I’d really like though is a machine that can construct a good shoe specifically for your foot in a reasonable amount of time. Even if it took a week, I might be willing to wait for that for custom fit shoes (as I do for new glasses for example).

Generally I could build this machine and would really like to, but I haven’t found a good idea on materials. If you could make them from recycled bottles and natural fibers it would be interesting too. Or maybe a totally woven shoe? Does anyone have any YouTube links or similar on unique ways to make shoes that could be done in a machine of some limited cost and complexity?

Technologies for mass scale customisation is being developed by several big players in the market. However, also consider that there are already hundreds of thousands of different shoe styles in the market, so finding a pair of perfectly fitting shoes can to a large degree be considered a search problem rather than a customisation problem. With appropriate 3D scanning technology, this can be done today.

Disclosure: I work for a technology provider in this field.

Lately I’ve been thinking about the connection between markets and “othering”. I’m wondering if distributed manufacturing can help, and interested in DIY “micro factories” that can be made in a small shop using 3D printers and basic hand tools.

So it’s a different approach. Basically I’m starting to make better and better robots with my 3D printers and I want to make open source factories with the tech. :)

Sounds like we should have a standard set of feet moulds that manufacturers can rate against. A bit like how you can have a measure of a Kilo based on an agreed original. Consumers only then need to match the best mould version.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com