Researchers from South Korea and the United States have developed robotic clothing that can put itself onto a person without requiring any assistance from their hands. According to the project’s authors, the technology could improve the lives of older adults, people with disabilities, and professionals who need to put on protective gear quickly, El.kz reports.
The key innovation lies in soft, flexible tubes embedded within the fabric. When air is pumped into them, the tubes expand and turn the garment inside out in a way that allows it to literally “wrap” around the wearer’s body and settle into the correct position. Users do not need to remain completely still during the process.
The idea for the technology came to the study’s lead author, Kim Nam Gyun, during an ordinary bike ride.
“One day I was cycling when it suddenly started raining, and I thought: wouldn’t it be great if a raincoat could put itself on automatically?” the researcher recalled.
The current prototype can fully dress a person in approximately 10 seconds. The developers believe the technology has potential applications across a wide range of industries.
Most importantly, it could help people who have difficulty dressing independently. It could also be valuable for workers in semiconductor cleanrooms, where minimizing hand contact with protective clothing is essential, as well as for emergency responders, healthcare professionals, and other specialists who need to put on protective suits as quickly as possible.
The research team is continuing to refine the technology, with the goal of making it more practical, comfortable, and suitable for everyday use.
