BMW is designing laceless running shoes that use technology from its cars.
Some of the best cars in the industry are made by BMW. This time, Designworks, a company of the BMW group, joined forces with Puma to come up with an inventive shoe called the X-Cat DISC.
“The approach was to look at every aspect of the construction of a shoe and try to change its image. Freeing yourself with the help of technology that is now here can be an enjoyable and efficient exercise, which usually also accelerates change,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President at BMW Group Design.
BMW Group Design has introduced the BMW GINA Light Visionary Model – a concept car with a single fabric outer shell in 2008, which consists of a flexible material that is stretched over a mobile infrastructure where its functions are activated only when actually needed.
Based on the same concept, the X-Cat DISC has an outer shell made of a flexible, ergonomic and lightweight material, called GINA, which can be comfortably wrapped around the feet. The original automotive material has been re-engineered to ensure it is breathable and durable, to suit the needs of the shoe. These shoes do not have laces. Instead, they use rotating discs that pull internal cables to close and open the shoes. Inspired by interconnected gears, the sole's unique design provides mechanical flexibility and interlocking stability.
The X-Cat DISC is available for $135 and is sold by Puma.
