Self-Dressing Clothing Could Boost Independence for Older Adults

South Korea's KAIST and Stanford University researchers have developed self-dressing clothing. This new invention integrates soft, air-powered robots directly into the fabric. Once activated, the garment guides itself into position on the wearer, even with movement. This technology offers a potential avenue for older adults to dress with reduced assistance, promoting greater independence at home.

Credits: Kaist

Daily dressing tasks present significant challenges. A stiff shoulder complicates pulling on a shirt, and balance problems make handling trousers a notable task. Dressing is a fundamental activity determining independent living. When mobility or dexterity declines, individuals may require assistance from family or professional caregivers. The system targets people with limited mobility, including older adults and those recovering from injuries. Stanford researchers view dressing assistance as a key application for future home robots, suggesting it could help older adults remain in their residences as care needs increase.

And dressing demands considerable physical movement. It involves reaching behind, lifting arms, and shifting weight. Arthritis can make gripping painful, shoulder issues often restrict reach, and hip or knee surgery recovery can impede bending. Balance also presents a concern. Pulling on trousers frequently requires standing briefly on one leg or bending low. This becomes stressful for unsteady individuals. Self-dressing garments could alleviate this strain. Clinical studies are still required to confirm the system's efficacy for those with mobility limitations.

The system, named SWAG or Self-Wearing Adaptive Garment, differs from traditional robotic aids. Flexible robotic tubes are built into the clothing itself, rather than using a large external arm. Air pressure causes these soft structures to unfold and extend along the body. The movement inverts the garment as it progresses, following the wearer's shape and reducing skin friction. This action is similar to ivy growth, where the plant advances from its tip.

But the idea originated with KAIST postdoctoral researcher Nam Gyun Kim. While cycling in the rain, he conceived the utility of a self-donning raincoat. This evolved into the concept of clothing moving independently, removing the wearer's need for extensive pulling, reaching, or twisting. Mr Kim and his team subsequently developed the soft robotic garments for dressing assistance. Mr Kim stated that donning a full suit takes approximately 10 seconds. According to Fox News, published data showed a jacket moving into place in about 13 seconds, trousers in roughly 21 seconds, and a sleeve prototype in approximately 14 seconds.

The researchers tested various garments, including sleeves, jackets, and trousers. Their results indicated the garments unfolded along the body with contact forces remaining within safety limits. Existing dressing robots often use rigid mechanical arms. These systems typically manage loose fabric while avoiding uncomfortable contact and frequently demand a fixed pose from the user. Such arrangements can feel awkward in private settings like bedrooms. The KAIST and Stanford design, by contrast, places the robotic mechanism inside the garment, making the clothing itself the helper.

And because the system employs soft materials, it bends around the body, avoiding hard mechanical structures. KAIST claims this design reduces physical strain and supports safer contact. Potential applications include older adults, people with disabilities, and rehabilitation patients needing temporary assistance. Industrial workplaces might adopt the concept sooner. Semiconductor employees wear protective cleanroom clothing, and emergency workers often need rapid donning of attire. Researchers suggest air-powered garments could aid in putting on protective wear without heavy reliance on hands. The study also discusses possible medical applications, such as assisting healthcare workers with protective coverings or compression bandages.

So the current system remains a research prototype, linked to a pneumatic base station. No consumer price or release date has been announced. Practical questions persist, including fitting various body shapes and movement patterns. Designers must address washing, storage, and portable air power. Future versions may use adjustable sheaths or elastic materials for wider body compatibility. The team also aims to automate garment loading and refine controls. Clinical trials with individuals facing mobility impairments are essential to prove comfort and reliability outside the laboratory. Further work includes exploring garment removal, as current efforts primarily focus on dressing.

• The system uses air-powered robots integrated into clothing to assist with dressing.

• The technology aims to aid older adults and individuals with limited mobility or recovering from injuries.

• The SWAG system employs soft, flexible tubes that invert the garment into place, reducing physical strain.

• Further clinical trials, portability, and design refinements are needed before wider availability.

Source: Fox News