"Eliminate the Odor"... The Story Behind Samsung Engineers Collecting Even Used Shoes?

Interview with the Developers of the Shoe Care Device 'Bespoke Shoe Dresser'
Focused on Deodorization, Drying, and Sterilization for Shoe Care

Samsung Electronics Home Appliance Division engineers Lee Jung-hee (from left), Oh Jin-young, Kim Myung-sun, and designer Kim Myung-kyu, who developed the Bespoke Shoe Dresser (Photo by Samsung Electronics Newsroom)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] "For thorough testing, we collected about 1,000 pairs of shoes, including employees' shoes and used shoes."

Lee Junghee, one of the engineers involved in developing Samsung Electronics' premium shoe care device, the Bespoke Shoe Dresser, which was unveiled last month, shared the behind-the-scenes story of the product's creation in an interview released on the Samsung Electronics Newsroom on the 14th. The core of shoe care was seen as solving five types of odors from shoes: musty smell, fishy smell, sour smell, sweat odor, and foot odor, in other words, 'deodorization.' The Bespoke Shoe Dresser project, which started based on a survey conducted two years ago showing that people want to manage shoes regularly like clothes, had to incorporate the essentials of shoe care including deodorization, drying, and sterilization, and tackled each issue one by one.

To solve the deodorization problem, the Bespoke Shoe Dresser raises the internal temperature to 40 degrees Celsius, blows air with an 'Air Wash' to remove odors, then decomposes separated odor particles with a 'UV Odor Decomposition Filter' to eliminate substances that cause sweat odor. During this process, the developers found the optimal temperature for shoe care. While higher temperatures make deodorization easier, they had to find a level that would not damage shoes made from various materials. The engineer said, "40 degrees is closest to human body temperature. It was the most suitable temperature to control odors without damaging the shoes."

Additionally, by applying heat pump technology, the device allows shoes to be dried and ready to wear in 6 hours, about 8.8 times faster than natural drying (53 hours). Considering that the outside of shoes is easily exposed to air but the inside is not, a dedicated accessory called the 'Jet Shoetree' was developed. Pro Kim Myungseon explained, "Odors and moisture are much more vulnerable inside the shoe than outside. This is because the part of the foot that touches the skin produces much more odor." The Jet Shoetree comes in two types: a basic shoetree and a long shoetree, allowing shoes to be hung and deodorized and dried inside.

For sterilization, Samsung Electronics introduced the first domestic home dryer product equipped with a 'Xenon UVC Lamp.' Instead of LED or mercury, the element xenon was used to ensure durability and eco-friendliness, and it was reported to remove 99.9% of harmful viruses such as influenza, adenovirus, herpes, enterovirus, and harmful bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The product also features 'custom care' for various shoe types and a clean storage option for up to 24 hours. It is available in four colors?Kota White, Kota Charcoal, Glam Sun Yellow, and Glam Greenery?that harmonize well when placed alongside other Bespoke products.

The development team expects that although the Bespoke Shoe Dresser has just taken its first step, it will soon have its own place in the entryway. Designer Kim Myungkyu said, "Since the Shoe Dresser is still a new product, I hope many people will experience it," and the engineer added, "I hope it gradually becomes an essential home appliance like the Air Dresser. It would be even better if washing functions are added in the future."