On Labs Tokyo demonstrates human-centric design philosophy in robotic world

ON LABS TOKYO SHOWS FUTURE OF SPORTSWEAR

At On Labs Tokyo, a unique experience center in Japan’s capital city, the future of sports innovation is on full show. From September 13-21, 2025, visitors can witness a robot spray a complete, ultralight shoe upper in just three minutes. This is not merely a technical demonstration; it’s a peek into how the Swiss sportswear brand On is blending cutting-edge technology with a deep attention for the human element of design. The pop-up space may showcase innovations like LightSpray™ technology and the Cloudboom Strike LS running shoe, but throughout, activations – from athlete talks and panels to workshops and runs – bring the city’s sports community together to emphasize how the athlete remains at the heart of their design process.

designboom spoke with Pablo Erat, Director of LightSpray™, and Johannes Voelchert, Senior Lead for Innovation Technology Exploration, at On Labs Tokyo to explore the brand’s new innovation, athlete-led design, and community engagement.

designboom visits On Labs Tokyo to see LightSpray™ in action

all images courtesy of On

ON’S LIGHTSPRAY™ REVOLUTION

On’s design philosophy is rooted in Swiss engineering and a commitment to precision and efficiency. This approach has given rise to LightSpray™, a revolutionary manufacturing process that enhances a robot to create ultralight, seamless shoe uppers in a single step. The brand‘s innovative technique sprays a shoe upper in just three minutes, reducing production time and paving the way for localized manufacturing.

‘LightSpray™ is the future. It is a radical sustainable technology in itself. It has created a shoe upper from just one material. We can develop new designs by manipulating filament into several shapes. There’s a lot to play with, and at On, we wish to be the leader of this material technology,’ begins Johannes Voelchert, Senior Lead for Innovation Technology Exploration.

the revolutionary manufacturing process uses a robot to create ultralight, seamless shoe uppers in a single step

LightSpray™ also ushers in a new era of sustainability. The process significantly minimizes waste and reduces an upper’s carbon emissions by 75% compared to other On racing shoes. It’s a technology that not only enhances performance but also helps the planet. The first product to feature this innovation, the Cloudboom Strike LS, weighs an exceptionally light 170g and provides a seamless, precision fit that adapts to the foot. This design introduces a completely new look and silhouette to performance footwear.

by spraying a shoe upper in three minutes, the process reduces production time and enables localized manufacturing

While the Cloudboom Strike LS is the first application of this technology, On’s team believes LightSpray™ has the potential to revolutionize all kinds of wearable products in the future, including apparel and accessories.

‘In the future, accessories and various types of shoe variations might be possible. It is important that On doesn’t produce something just because it can be produced with this technology. As a brand, we are very critical with ourselves. Even in terms of shoe models, we always ask ourselves whether we can significantly improve this product and if it truly solves the customer desire. If the answer is yes, then it makes sense to design and produce. This is what we need to consider for LightSpray™,’ clarifies Pablo Erat, Director of LightSpray™.

the Cloudboom Strike LS is the first application of this technology

ON ATHLETE, FEEDBACK, AND POWER OF COMMUNITY

Despite the focus on advanced robotics and automation, On’s design team highlights the crucial role of human input. The brand’s innovation is not solely driven by technology; it is sparked by the human body, mind, and environment.

‘Innovation and creativity is made by the friction between your environment and brain,’ explains Pablo. ‘Athletes are definitely a really important source. This is not only about the validation of something that we have developed, but how their ideas and feedback can spark completely new dimensions.’

On Labs Tokyo connects the sports community through activations like athlete talks, workshops, and runs

‘On works in a very human way. This collaboration extends from technological development to athletic performance. The human factor of athletes means we can tailor innovations to those special needs. It is so valuable to work closely and gain their visions,’ notes Johannes.

Athlete feedback is a vital source of inspiration. On works directly with high-performance athletes like Olympic medalist Hellen Obiri and two-time Tokyo marathon winner Sutume Asefa Kebede, who have been wearing development versions of LightSpray™ shoes in races since April 2025. The rapid prototyping capabilities of LightSpray™ allow On to test different design variations with athletes and quickly iterate on feedback, a process that can happen from day to day. This collaborative approach ensures that the final product truly solves a problem and meets a specific athlete’s needs.

‘Our interactive design process is a huge advantage,’ adds Pablo. ‘Our lab allows athletes to work directly next to where we work, meaning we can do a 3D scan of their foot, make a prototype that can be tested, and create iterations basically from day to day. This is more important in terms of the early stages of product development. With multiple different athletes, we can do a lot of variation to figure out the best product model for the athlete, develop it, and launch future models.’

visitors can get personalized running analysis, trial On’s latest products, and see LightSpray™ in action

Community activations, like the one in Tokyo, are essential to this philosophy. On Labs Tokyo is a space where the public can get a personalized running analysis, trial the brand’s latest products, and see technology like LightSpray™ in action. These events foster a connection between the brand, athletes, and the community, reinforcing the idea that innovation is a shared journey.

In a world increasingly shaped by automation, On’s approach to design stands out. By prioritizing the human element – from the insights of elite athletes to the dreams of its innovators – the brand is proving that even the most advanced technology should be built on a foundation of creativity, community, and a commitment to bettering human performance.