Singapore’s National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Canadian custom footwear manufacturer Wiivv, to develop 3D printed biometric insoles.
“Wiivv exemplifies how new businesses should aspire to be, riding on market trends like hypermobility, mass customization and wellness needs, building personalized and highly desirable solutions enabled by technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence and 3D printing,” said Dr. Ho Chaw Sing, Managing Director of the NAMIC.
“We are excited and honored to be partnering with Wiivv to support their growth plans in Singapore.”
3D printer footwear
Founded in 2014, Wiivv focuses on developing technology for additively manufactured footwear and apparel customized for the human body. After raising over $3.5 million in a seed funding round in 2015 for its BASE 3D printed insoles, the company released a scanning app to customize its footwear products. Following this, Wiivv launched a Kickstarter campaign to create 3D printed sandals using this technology.
In collaboration with NAMIC and its network, Wiivv will begin to develop its next generation of customized biometric insoles designed to enhance individual performance. Previously, Peak Sports, a Chinese sportswear company based in Quangzhou, began production of a partially 3D printed volleyball shoe designed to enhance a range of intense movements. Also, athletic footwear manufacturer, Reebok, released the Liquid Floatride Run shoe ideal for “distance running, cardio workouts, and comfort.”
NAMIC Global Additive Manufacturing Summit
The MoU was signed during a ceremony held at the NAMIC Global Additive Manufacturing Summit in Nanyang Drive, Singapore. Shamil Hargovan, co-founder and CEO of Wiivv stated:
“It’s a great honour to be in this partnership. We are proud to have this opportunity to bring Wiivv’s groundbreaking technologies and products to the Singapore market. We look forward to a long and productive partnership.”
Last year, 3D Printing Industry visited the 4th edition of the NAMIC summit which highlighted the emerging applications for additive manufacturing in Asia. The innovation cluster “aims to increase Singapore’s adoption of additive manufacturing technologies to enhance competitiveness in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital industrialisation,” with a reported project pipeline of over $12.5 million.
Recently, the NAMIC awarded a grant of approximately $250,000 (SGD) to Singapore Polytechnic (SP) and SPEE3D, an Australian 3D printer manufacturer, to accelerate cold spray metal 3D printing.
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Featured image shows Wiivv insoles. Photo via Wiivv.
