Reebok has launched a manufacturing process that uses software, robotics, and a "high-rebound liquid" to "draw" shoes in three dimensions.

The company's Liquid Factory process uses a drawing technique in which the liquid material, created for Reebok by BASF, is used to build shoe componentry in three-dimensional layers. The technique bypasses the use of traditional molds.

Robots were used by Reebok to create the entire shoe outsole."Footwear manufacturing hasn't dramatically changed over the last 30 years. Every shoe from every brand is created using molds—an expensive, time-consuming process," says Bill McInnis, head of future at Reebok. "[Now] we can create and customize the design of shoes in real time because we’re not using molds—we’re simply programming a machine."

Reebok says that Liquid Factory allows for greater speed and design creativity. The company says robots were used to create the entire shoe outsole (the bottom of the shoe) for the company's Liquid Speed concept shoe, as well as the winged lacing system, which is designed to give wearers a custom fit. A video describing the process can be viewed here.

The company plans to open a Liquid Factory manufacturing lab in collaboration with AF Group Inc. in early 2017.