Based on the pair of paints in the Wallace and Gromit movie “The Wrong Trousers”
scientists made a pair of mechanical pants that can help the elderly walk and stand up called
the “Right Trousers”
After this invention, scientists, computer programmers, and fabric designers
worldwide are working on more advanced robotic clothing. Which could in the future allow
us to get closer to a future where robotic clothes can help us live better lives.
There could be many possibilities with this kind of technology including clothes that
can help people with disabilities, or help people do their jobs better, or even clothes that can
keep us alive in harsh enviornments.
There has been a lot of development in this segment of technology. For example, in
June, Australian scientists created robotic fibers, which can be used to create a fabric that
moves automatically. Last year, scientists at MIT created programmable threads and built
batteries using battery gels that can be embedded into clothes and these power robotic
fabrics.
Researchers have also stated that this is a turning point where we can see a future
where clothes can react to our feelings and movements. “We’re sort of at the pre-iPhone
announcement [stage],” said Yoel Fink, a professor at MIT.
Despite a slew of successes, this program is not without its hardships. One of the most
complex challenges is getting the fabric to feel like traditional textiles. It should “look exactly,
feel exactly, wear exactly, wash exactly like the fabric you’re wearing right now,” said Fink.
It would also be a tough challenge to make the robotic fibers and batteries strong
enough to sustain multiple times in the washing machine. Researchers will also have to find a
way to make sure that the clothing is light, even with the devices, along with it feeling
comfortable.
AI clothing is a very new and exciting premise, and it’s seeing a lot of progress, along
with some “smart clothing” releases from companies like Google. But there are still many
problems with implementing this in our daily lives, and researchers must address them before
robotic clothes can become mainstream.
Shapeshifting-robotic-clothes-could-help-people-stand-up-The-Washington-Post-3
Download
scientists made a pair of mechanical pants that can help the elderly walk and stand up called
the “Right Trousers”
After this invention, scientists, computer programmers, and fabric designers
worldwide are working on more advanced robotic clothing. Which could in the future allow
us to get closer to a future where robotic clothes can help us live better lives.
There could be many possibilities with this kind of technology including clothes that
can help people with disabilities, or help people do their jobs better, or even clothes that can
keep us alive in harsh enviornments.
There has been a lot of development in this segment of technology. For example, in
June, Australian scientists created robotic fibers, which can be used to create a fabric that
moves automatically. Last year, scientists at MIT created programmable threads and built
batteries using battery gels that can be embedded into clothes and these power robotic
fabrics.
Researchers have also stated that this is a turning point where we can see a future
where clothes can react to our feelings and movements. “We’re sort of at the pre-iPhone
announcement [stage],” said Yoel Fink, a professor at MIT.
Despite a slew of successes, this program is not without its hardships. One of the most
complex challenges is getting the fabric to feel like traditional textiles. It should “look exactly,
feel exactly, wear exactly, wash exactly like the fabric you’re wearing right now,” said Fink.
It would also be a tough challenge to make the robotic fibers and batteries strong
enough to sustain multiple times in the washing machine. Researchers will also have to find a
way to make sure that the clothing is light, even with the devices, along with it feeling
comfortable.
AI clothing is a very new and exciting premise, and it’s seeing a lot of progress, along
with some “smart clothing” releases from companies like Google. But there are still many
problems with implementing this in our daily lives, and researchers must address them before
robotic clothes can become mainstream.
Shapeshifting-robotic-clothes-could-help-people-stand-up-The-Washington-Post-3
Download
