Background of the event: Musk's "affordable shoes" sparked heated discussions

In April 2024, Tesla CEO Elon Musk sparked a heated discussion during a formal business event during his visit to China over wearing a pair of domestically produced sports shoes that cost about 100 yuan. Although the focus of the event is on Tesla's progress in autonomous driving compliance in China, there is a higher level of public discussion about its "unconstrained" dressing style.

（Musk's' affordable shoes' spark heated discussion）

These shoes may seem ordinary, but they actually contain high-tech elements. It is disclosed that the sole of the shoe adopts an innovative solution from Tesla's technology supplier, combining customized materials and manufacturing processes, reflecting Musk's ultimate pursuit of technical details.

Sole Technology Analysis: Personalized Customization and Material Innovation

1. Foot scanning and 3D printing technology

The sole is designed by Tesla technology supplier Solomon in Taiwan, and a precise foot model is generated by laser scanning Musk's foot contour. Subsequently, BASF's supercritical polyurethane material was used to produce shoe soles through 3D printing technology. This process can achieve highly customized design that fits the foot shape, enhancing comfort and support.

（Foot scanning）

Characteristics of Supercritical Polyurethane Materials

Lightweight: This material has low density and significantly reduces the weight of the shoe body, making it suitable for long-term wear.

High elasticity and shock absorption: Supercritical foaming technology forms a micro airbag structure inside the material, providing excellent rebound and shock absorption effects, suitable for sports scenes.

Durability: Polyurethane material has strong wear resistance and extends the service life of shoe soles.

(3D printing technology)

Shoe upper material and design

The upper of the shoe is made of breathable fabric specially designed by the American brand Kizik, combined with an easy to put on and take off elastic structure design, balancing functionality and a simple appearance. Despite its seemingly cheap appearance, the comprehensive technical cost makes its actual value far exceed that of ordinary sports shoes.

(Musk's same shoes)

Public response and interpretation of Musk's style

Breaking the traditional image: Musk's choice of affordable shoes in formal occasions is seen by some netizens as "approachable" or "marketing strategy", but his consistent casual style is more likely to be the main reason.

The detail control of tech geeks: Despite the low price of shoes, the technology behind them reflects Musk's emphasis on innovative materials, which is consistent with his philosophy of promoting technology projects such as Tesla and SpaceX.

(The public's image of Musk)

Summary

The trend of integration between technology and daily wear

Musk's shoe wearing incident not only showcases his personal style, but also reflects the two major directions of future wearable technology: personalized customization and the application of high-performance materials. Through the combination of AI and 3D printing technology, the consumer goods industry is gradually transitioning from "standardization" to "customization", while new material technologies such as supercritical foaming may overturn the cost-effectiveness logic of traditional manufacturing industries。