Adidas' Strung shoe is threaded together by a sewing robot

Adidas' Futurecraft division has been running for a few years now, trying to find new ways to build footwear. Its 4D midsole demonstrates how 3D-printing could revolutionize the way footwear is made, while its Loop is made from entirely-recyclable materials. Now, the sports company thinks that it's found an even smarter way to make uppers that are lighter and stronger than ever before. The Futurecraft.Strung (sorry, STRUNG), is a proof-of-concept sneaker with an upper made from individually-wound threads. Adidas says that it has developed a custom-built robot that can weave threads diagonally across the midsole.