On Unveils Robotic 'LightSpray' Factory Tech
Footwear brand On is utilizing a robotic factory technology called LightSpray for precision craftsmanship. The process allows for the application of materials with high accuracy, reflecting a broader industry trend of integrating advanced technology to enhance, rather than replace, artisanal production techniques.
The LightSpray technology was the result of a four-year development journey, first introduced by On in 2024. The initial application of this automated shoe production began with the opening of its first factory in Zurich in July 2025, which housed four robots. The process condenses what is typically around 200 manufacturing steps into a single, automated one. A robotic arm sprays 1.5 kilometers of a specialized filament onto a last, creating an ultra-light, one-piece upper in approximately three minutes, a method that also reduces CO2 emissions by 75% compared to On's other running uppers. To scale up, On has opened a second robotic production facility near Busan, South Korea, a global hub for robotics and automation. This new factory adds 32 fully automated robots, poised to increase the brand's global LightSpray production capacity by a factor of 30 in 2026. The first product to be manufactured at the new Korean plant is the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper. This model marks the first wide-scale commercial release featuring the technology and will be available in North America on March 5 and globally on April 16, with a retail price of $280. On's strategic goal is to establish LightSpray factories in close proximity to key international markets, with a focus on the Americas and a significant expansion across Europe. The brand also intends to apply the technology to additional product categories beyond elite running shoes to reach a broader consumer base.
