Nike is extending the lifespan of its sneakers

Bringing the principles of the Right to Repair movement to the fashion industry, sportswear brand Nike has partnered with creative engineering studio PCH Innovations to build a robot that extends the lifespan of its sneakers.

For the past two years, the two companies have been working on the Bot Initiated Longevity Lab (BILL), a robotic system with the goal of keeping old sneakers out of landfill. By analysing how and where shoes are worn down, the BILL can repair and refresh Air Force 1, Air Jordan 1, Dunk and Space Hippie 01 sneakers. The system has been designed to function in busy retail environments and has been assembled in Nike Town in London for the month of September.

While most consumers are used to replacing products every couple of years, increasing pressure from DIY Dressers for more circularity is prompting companies to consider end-of-life programmes and schemes.