Startup plans to design AI-powered shoes in space using orbital satellite

A footwear startup is partnering with two space companies to design shoes in orbit using AI automation, marking an unusual intersection of fashion technology and space-based manufacturing. The mission aims to demonstrate how artificial intelligence and blockchain operations could become more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable when conducted in space rather than on Earth.

The big picture: OrbitsEdge, which supports AI and blockchain applications, and Copernic Space, a digital marketplace for space assets, plan to launch a solar- and battery-powered satellite equipped with AI-powered computers to automatically generate shoe designs for the Syntilay brand.

Why this matters: The project represents an early experiment in space-based AI manufacturing, potentially opening new frontiers for both sustainable production and the commercialization of orbital technology platforms.

Key details: The satellite will be powered by both solar energy and batteries, housing specialized computers designed to run AI automation systems in the harsh environment of space.

• The AI system will specifically focus on creating footwear designs for Syntilay, a brand backed by Reebok’s co-founder.
• The mission combines multiple emerging technologies: space-based computing, artificial intelligence, and blockchain applications.

The broader context: This initiative reflects growing interest in leveraging space environments for technological applications that could prove more efficient or sustainable than Earth-based alternatives, though the specific advantages of orbital AI processing remain to be demonstrated through real-world testing.