Nike introduced B.I.L.L., a robot that can clean and repair old sneakers

By: Elena Shcherban | 15.09.2022, 22:58

In order to extend the life of its products, Nike, a well-known manufacturer of sportswear and footwear, introduced a robot called B.I.L.L. (Bot Initiated Longevity Lab). It is already working in test mode in the Nike Town store in London, and absolutely free of charge.

Details

B.I.L.L. - is a robotic system consisting of numerous "legs", brushes and other tools. It has one task: to thoroughly clean and repair old sneakers, thus giving them a second life and reducing the impact on the environment.

B.I.L.L. uses advanced robotics, old-school handcraft, water-based cleaners and recycled polyester patches. But first, the robot creates a three-dimensional digital model of the shoes and identifies areas in need of cleaning. Shoppers can then choose patches to repair worn areas on the shoe's upper, as well as add new linings and laces made from recycled materials.

Right now, the system only works with four popular Nike sneaker models: the Air Force 1, Air Jordan 1, Space Hippie 01 and Nike Dunks. In total, it takes about 45 minutes to process a pair of Air Force 1s.

Source: Nike