Tag Archives: Reebok

Reebok Changes Footwear Forever  

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Reebok is about to change the entire footwear industry in both design and manufacturing. This is major news since there hasn’t been much innovation in the last 30 years.

After reading what I post here, and watching the above video, you will understand why this is going to impact all kinds of footwear.

Reebok is creating a new Liquid Factory, tentatively scheduled for Rhode Island, that uses both robot technology and 3-D drawing to manufacture shoe components without using traditional shoe molds. This means that the cost to manufacture shoes in the United States will be reduced dramatically and the speed of production will go faster than ever.

It’s so exciting that Maria Bartiromo, of Fox News, rushed to be among the first to report the news. She interviewed Bill McInnis, the Reebok executive, who is the head of the Reebok Future Team.  He told Maria that this new innovation will open up new opportunities for what can be created.

If you watch the video you will understand how the process takes place. It shows how robots use high-energy liquid to draw in layers in order to create the first ever energy-return outsole which supposedly is dramatically better than a typical rubber outsole. It also stretches and molds around the foot, providing a three dimensional fit.

Reebok collaborated with BASF and the Rampf Group to make this all happen.        

Reebok issued their own video to explain the process. It’s pretty amazing. This is the future.

Measuring Head Traumas

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Ever since Natasha Richardson suffered a severe head injury on my mother’s birthday, March 16, 2009, I think about her every time I hear about someone getting banged around. I can’t get her out of my mind. I just feel her death was so senseless. This world-renowned talent, and a beautiful mother, wife, and daughter, died at such an early age (45) because of two lousy decisions while taking a beginners ski lesson. She wasn’t wearing a helmet and refused medical attention when the paramedics were called in after her fall. Three hours later Natasha was in critical condition and she lasted only two days more. An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was an epidural hematoma due to the blunt impact to her head.

I know of a new invention that “might” be a life saver in this type of circumstance. Before I tell you about it, I want to make a disclaimer that frees me of any legal obligation for my remarks. In no way do I mean that this new invention is going to be a cure all. I am merely suggesting that the new invention may be a good option to monitor any head injury.

Reebok and MC10, have joined forces to introduce a new impact-sensing cap that blinks yellow or red if you suffer a moderate or severe blow to the head. Blows to the head are pretty common to millions of girls and boys who play hockey, soccer, lacrosse and other contact sports.

The CheckLight is a washable beanie that has an electronics module tucked inside it. It can be worn under a helmet for football or hockey, or by itself for soccer and other helmet-free sports. It will sell for about $150.

Reebok makes the beanie and MC10 developed the flexible and stretchable electronics. Sensors in the cap — a tiny accelerometer and gyroscope — measure the head’s forward and twisting movements.

The sensor can be used for about 13 hours continuously and can be recharged with a USB cable. The total number of hits can be read when the battery is recharged.

Definitely look into this new product. Active people wear all kinds of protective gear. Start from the head down.

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