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Scientists from the Advanced Robotics Research Center at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) have developed a new process to weave ultra-thin fibers of shape-memory alloy (SMA) into fabric artificial muscles, enabling wearable robotic clothing that tests have shown can increase the wearer’s strength and reduce muscle load by up to 40%.
Although wearable robots designed with the new fabric-weaving process are currently limited to the laboratory phase, the KIMM research team behind the breakthrough method is already working on prototype designs for individuals suffering from strength and mobility limitations, with the ultimate goal of finding a commercial partner to bring their super-strength fabric manufacturing process to the wider marketplace.
In an email to The Debrief, Dr. Cheol Hoon Park, Principal Researcher at KIMM’s Advanced Robotics Research Center and the leader of the wearable robot project, explained that many countries are entering a “super-aged” phase of society, and the demand for wearable robot technology that can increase strength and mobility is expected to dramatically increase.
However, Dr. Park noted that for such technologies to become more widely available, the limitations of current technologies must be overcome.
thedebrief.org
Although wearable robots designed with the new fabric-weaving process are currently limited to the laboratory phase, the KIMM research team behind the breakthrough method is already working on prototype designs for individuals suffering from strength and mobility limitations, with the ultimate goal of finding a commercial partner to bring their super-strength fabric manufacturing process to the wider marketplace.
In an email to The Debrief, Dr. Cheol Hoon Park, Principal Researcher at KIMM’s Advanced Robotics Research Center and the leader of the wearable robot project, explained that many countries are entering a “super-aged” phase of society, and the demand for wearable robot technology that can increase strength and mobility is expected to dramatically increase.
However, Dr. Park noted that for such technologies to become more widely available, the limitations of current technologies must be overcome.
Superhero Strength from Futuristic Clothing? Scientists Invent ‘Wearable Robot’ Fabric Muscle Clothing That Increases the Wearer’s Strength by 40%
Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials engineers reveal a fabric 'muscle' that makes the wearer stronger and increases range of motion.


