On Running’s new LightSpray laceless shoe uses 32 robots to spray a seamless upper in just three minutes, cutting development from 18–24 months to as little as 3–4 and hinting at a faster, more automated future for running footwear.
Swiss sportswear company On Running has introduced a new laceless running shoe made using robots and a technology called LightSpray, signaling a potential shift in how athletic footwear is produced.
The company recently opened a new factory in Busan, South Korea, where 32 robots manufacture the upper part of a shoe in about three minutes. Instead of traditional fabric panels stitched together, the LightSpray process uses a thin plastic filament that is sprayed directly onto a foot-shaped mold to create a seamless upper without laces.
The technology is now being used to produce the On LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, a cushioned running shoe designed for daily training.
According to the company, the automated process could significantly shorten the time it takes to develop and deliver a new shoe. Traditional models often take 18 to 24 months to reach the market, while LightSpray could reduce that timeline to three or four months.
The concept first appeared in the racing shoe On Cloudboom Strike LS, which was worn by Kenyan runner Hellen Obiri during her victory at the Boston Marathon in 2024.
Testers say the new Cloudmonster model feels lightweight and secure despite having no laces. The shoe uses a dual-layer midsole combining EVA foam and PEBA-based cushioning designed to provide both comfort and propulsion while running.
For now, LightSpray technology is limited to this model, but On says it plans to expand the system if demand grows.
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