Summary
This video features IAMBIC co-founder Maeve Wang sharing how the company evolved from building a smartphone-based foot scanner to creating precision-fit footwear. She explains why shoe fit is not just a sizing or data problem, but a design and manufacturing challenge. The video is for people interested in AI footwear, custom shoes, and how technology makes better fit more accessible.
Key Takeaways:
- Shoe fit is a design and manufacturing problem, not only a sizing issue
- IAMBIC began with a smartphone-based foot scanner funded by the NSF
- Traditional custom shoes cost $3,000-$10,000 and take months to make
- AI and advanced manufacturing make precision-fit footwear accessible
- IAMBIC pivoted from software to creating its own precision-fit shoe brand
Transcript
"We all worked together to get a National Science Foundation grant and to build our smartphone-based foot scanner. And we started testing this with shoes across sneakers, hiking boots, dress shoes. And we realized that data matching is not the solution. It is actually a design and manufacturing problem that we need to address.
So we went back to the drawing board and we asked ourselves, if we want to stay true to our mission and get people shoes that are their best fit without having to wait up to 10 years, what do we do? And we reflected. We reflected on actually going back to the individual and thinking about custom-made shoes.
And today, they cost between $3,000 and $10,000 and take between 3 and 12 months to make. But if we could take those principles of fit and luxury and merge them with scientifically proven benefits of ergonomic design, and if we could leverage these amazing technologies around AI and advanced manufacturing and modularity, we could make that accessible for the everyday shoe.
And so that was when IAMBIC decided to pivot to our own shoe brand. It was an incredible journey. The team really stuck it through, and we are really happy to be where we are today."
So we went back to the drawing board and we asked ourselves, if we want to stay true to our mission and get people shoes that are their best fit without having to wait up to 10 years, what do we do? And we reflected. We reflected on actually going back to the individual and thinking about custom-made shoes.
And today, they cost between $3,000 and $10,000 and take between 3 and 12 months to make. But if we could take those principles of fit and luxury and merge them with scientifically proven benefits of ergonomic design, and if we could leverage these amazing technologies around AI and advanced manufacturing and modularity, we could make that accessible for the everyday shoe.
And so that was when IAMBIC decided to pivot to our own shoe brand. It was an incredible journey. The team really stuck it through, and we are really happy to be where we are today."
The most interesting thing about them being crafted just for me is how well they fit. And I had never even noticed that my shoes didn't fit right. My other shoes don't hurt me - they just slosh around. With these, the heels actually stay on the whole time and it fits snugly yet still comfortably. And I'd never experienced that before. They just stay comfortable all day.
As a runner, as an athlete, just knowing that I'm doing a good service to my body is incredible. It’s the reason that I love my IAMBIC shoes. It's that precision that makes me feel safe to walk down the street, get on the subway, do my commute, bring my kids to school, and not feel concerned that I'm doing it in a shoe that doesn't fit right or that doesn't feel good.
The thing that I was surprised by the most with the precision fit is that any pressure points that I had been feeling with the shoes that I previously came in wearing were completely gone. I was wearing a shoe that wasn’t too tight. It wasn’t too loose. The sole fit just right. Total comfort. That’s the best way to put it.
I deal with chronic foot pain, and a lot of it comes from shoes that do not really fit. When I wear my IAMBICs, I notice less pain and they are incredibly comfortable. I do not worry about support, and I even get compliments on them when I am out, which feels great.
A lot of shoes feel fine for a short walk but not for hours. What I like about IAMBIC is that it feels snug and comfortable, yet substantial enough for long walks without discomfort. That matters to me, and the shoe has really delivered on that.
The first time I tried my IAMBICs, I noticed the difference right away. I have small feet, so most shoes either do not fit or are uncomfortable somewhere. Knowing these were tailored to my foot was meaningful. They are truly comfortable and still versatile in style, which is rare to find.
I think we’re all placed on this earth as unique individuals. None of us are really off the rack in terms of sizing. So for me to have that experience of having something made specifically for me that fit perfectly was something that was a little bit mind blowing. And once I got the shoes, I tried them on, they looked great, they felt great. And honestly, they fit like a glove.
In motorsport, a millimeter matters. My IAMBICs are built with that same precision, and you can feel it when you move. They remind me of the exactness you find in high-performance machines, translated into footwear.
With IAMBIC, I can be on my feet through long shoots without that usual end-of-day fatigue. I do not worry about burning out or feeling drained like I used to. They help me get through overtime and long days without thinking about pain.
They move with me and quickly became part of my day. I do not wear them only for style, I wear them because they make me feel good. The comfort and support are what keep me reaching for them.
With most shoes I am always wishing I had chosen something else. With IAMBIC, I don’t think about switching. I want everything else to feel the way these do, because they are the pair I reach for every day.
When I wear my IAMBICs, I barely notice them, and I think that says everything. The difference shows up when I switch to other high-end sneakers and immediately feel the discomfort. They fit my feet so well that comfort just feels natural.