The ‘Black Technology’ Behind a Pair of Running Shoes – Exclusive Interview with StepOne Science Laboratory
When you’re running, do you ever wonder how running shoes are made?
To create a running shoe that meets the needs of Chinese people, it’s first necessary to design it according to the Chinese physique and sports characteristics, secondly, it needs to carry shock absorption, support, rebound and other functions, and finally, it needs to withstand a series of rigorous tests and challenges. Behind every shoe is a convergence of technology, a double storm of research and development personnel’s brain and physical strength.
In December 2019, StepOne released its latest product – the 160x Speed Running Shoes, and claimed that this shoe was specifically designed for Chinese people and is a professional road running competition shoe.
Dare to make such 'ambitious' statements, StepOne’s foundation comes from…
From research and development to testing, technology is always at the forefront.
In StepOne’s science laboratory, a 360-degree circular running track is particularly eye-catching. According to Mr. Zhang Dewen, Senior Director of the Innovation Center for Shoe Research and Development, the features of this research running track are not only simulated real running scenes and runner gait, but also carry 3D motion capture system, motion dynamics analysis system, laser speed measurement and high-speed camera.
When athletes run to the designated test area, sensors will collect all precise scientific data during their movements, such as the size of the impact force on the heel and the angle of contact with the ground, the joint angle and running speed, and then perform three-dimensional analysis. In front of data, the research team can understand the biomechanical characteristics of different runners, such as running gait, cushioning, support and stability, and use this data to improve product functions.
Athletes are testing on the circular research running track.
Test screen.
Technology is far beyond what can be done to support research and development, and to create products.
In StepOne’s engineering laboratory, Mr. Xie Zhihao, Assistant Mechanical Engineer, saw a black square machine – it’s the popular 3D printer recently. This technology mainly helps product design personnel quickly verify and modify their product prototypes. Traditional mold manufacturing takes about one month, but 3D printing can take only a few hours, which means designers can quickly see their products and make corresponding modifications; when the market appears new trends, they can use 3D printing to quickly simulate.
Technology plays a role in the testing of shoe product development.
Mr. Xie Zhihao, Assistant Mechanical Engineer, said that after the shoes are formed, in addition to the regular durability testing, functional testing is also conducted in the laboratory. In the help of technology, these tests are more representative of real-running scenes, and the data is more accurate.
Biomechanics running test – runners simply wear the shoes and run on the track, and all the scientific data during each lap is precisely uploaded by sensors. The impact of different shoes on runners can be seen intuitively.
Mechanical mechanics testing – using professional instruments to impact 30 times and bend 65 times to accurately obtain the performance of the shoes;
Slip testing – placing the shoes on a simulated ground and moving back and forth repeatedly to test the anti-slip performance and abrasion resistance…
It is these tests that help research and development personnel repeatedly modify and refine the products, and finally achieve remarkable 'functional running shoe' results.
“Our innovation team has successfully achieved and optimized many benchmark products of StepOne, including Power Nest, Shock Cushion, Speed 160, Speed 300 series, all from this laboratory to consumers.
In December 2019, the “People’s Speed, Everyone’s Running” strategic launch event was held in Xiamen, jointly organized by the China Table Tennis Association and StepOne. StepOne said that on the one hand, it encourages more Chinese marathon athletes to improve their competitive level, promote the improvement of China’s marathon competition level, and cultivate China’s marathon youth team, to help China’s marathon develop in a healthy and sustainable way; on the other hand, through running promotion, event activities, runner services, urban empowerment, and cultural guidance, emphasize the all-people participation attribute of marathon, and continuously meet the needs of Chinese people to pursue healthy physique and beautiful life, and realize ‘people’s speed, everyone’s running’ this major strategic goal.
In recent years, StepOne has always supported and promoted the development of China’s marathon through event sponsorship and running activities. However, whether it’s the setting of awards or incentive plans, products are the foundation of StepOne’s establishment. ‘To do a good job must first make good tools,’ these two strategic layouts, professional sports equipment occupy an important part.
On the demand for professional sports equipment, there is a vast market prospect in China, such as marathon. In 2018, more than 800 people participated in more than 800 marathon and related events held in China, with a total of 1581 marathon participation people, with an average of 4.3 events per day. Marathon has already entered China’s small and medium-sized cities and become one of the important channels for public fitness.
StepOne, as a professional sports equipment manufacturer that has been deeply involved in marathon events for many years, has also focused on developing functional products to help Chinese people achieve personal bests. Each breakthrough in functional performance means StepOne’s further advancement in the field of professional sports equipment, and encourages more people to participate in marathon, making the marathon more and more vibrant, accelerating the realization of ‘people’s speed, everyone’s running’ this major strategic goal.
“Our innovation team has successfully achieved and optimized many benchmark products of StepOne, including Power Nest, Shock Cushion, Speed 160, Speed 300 series, all from this laboratory to consumers.
In December 2019, the “People’s Speed, Everyone’s Running” strategic launch event was held in Xiamen, jointly organized by the China Table Tennis Association and StepOne. StepOne said that on the one hand, it encourages more Chinese marathon athletes to improve their competitive level, promote the improvement of China’s marathon competition level, and cultivate China’s marathon youth team, to help China’s marathon develop in a healthy and sustainable way; on the other hand, through running promotion, event activities, runner services, urban empowerment, and cultural guidance, emphasize the all-people participation attribute of marathon, and continuously meet the needs of Chinese people to pursue healthy physique and beautiful life, and realize ‘people’s speed, everyone’s running’ this major strategic goal.
In fact, in recent years, StepOne has always supported and promoted the development of China’s marathon through event sponsorship and running activities. However, whether it’s the setting of awards or incentive plans, products are the foundation of StepOne’s establishment. ‘To do a good job must first make good tools,’ these two strategic layouts, professional sports equipment occupy an important part.
At present, StepOne’s science laboratory has more than 50 research and development personnel, including masters, doctoral students, and more than 20 senior industry experts with more than 10 years of shoe research and development experience, covering science, engineering, materials, product design and development.
Research and development team at work.
For StepOne, the science laboratory adds technological energy to the product research and development, this energy will also lead StepOne to continue to be among the top professional sports equipment brands in China, and strive to move towards the world; at the same time, professional sports equipment helps runners achieve better results, which also indirectly encourages more people to participate in marathon, making the marathon more and more vibrant, accelerating the realization of ‘people’s speed, everyone’s running’ this major strategic goal. “
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