In a clay animation movie called “The Wrong Trousers,” a pair of futuristic pants let people defy gravity, doing things like walking on walls and ceilings. Researchers in England were inspired by this concept and had the idea that robot clothes could be beneficial for society. They created “The Right Trousers” a set of pants with electrical pumps that force air into tiny tubes and expand. These pants can help the elderly or other people with leg disabilities.
Inspired by this, other universities around the globe have begun their own experiments on creating robot clothing. We are getting closer and closer to a world where robot clothing helps us in our daily lives. In June, researchers in Australia created robotic textile fibers, which allow fabric to move automatically. Last year, at MIT researchers created batteries that could be implemented easily into clothes. With all these advancements, the intelligence community announced it would start trying to implement robotic clothes for soldiers and spies.
Recently, companies have begun releasing robotic clothing, which can connect to cell phones. A cool example are some jackets that have the ability to change the music you’re playing by swiping a sleeve. Wearablex created clothing that helps with yoga, vibrating in spots where your posture needs improvement. Scientists say these are just a first wave of clothing, and they are looking to create robotic clothing far more advanced.
To make robotic clothing “smart,” though will require computing power inside the fabric itself, that can monitor things like physiology and temperature. Researchers at MIT are working on fibers that can transmit digital signals and track things automatically like heart rate. Many challenges still lie ahead, as putting these things inside clothing can make it uncomfortable to wear or heavy. But scientists still remain optimistic that, one day, robot clothing will be part of our everyday wardrobe.
Inspired by this, other universities around the globe have begun their own experiments on creating robot clothing. We are getting closer and closer to a world where robot clothing helps us in our daily lives. In June, researchers in Australia created robotic textile fibers, which allow fabric to move automatically. Last year, at MIT researchers created batteries that could be implemented easily into clothes. With all these advancements, the intelligence community announced it would start trying to implement robotic clothes for soldiers and spies.
Recently, companies have begun releasing robotic clothing, which can connect to cell phones. A cool example are some jackets that have the ability to change the music you’re playing by swiping a sleeve. Wearablex created clothing that helps with yoga, vibrating in spots where your posture needs improvement. Scientists say these are just a first wave of clothing, and they are looking to create robotic clothing far more advanced.
To make robotic clothing “smart,” though will require computing power inside the fabric itself, that can monitor things like physiology and temperature. Researchers at MIT are working on fibers that can transmit digital signals and track things automatically like heart rate. Many challenges still lie ahead, as putting these things inside clothing can make it uncomfortable to wear or heavy. But scientists still remain optimistic that, one day, robot clothing will be part of our everyday wardrobe.
