MIT: How would you feel if your jacket buttoned itself as you walked out the door? Say hello to Zipperbot.
Wearable and robotic technology is developing rapidly. Wearable technology usually focuses on automation with parallel generation of electricity by harnessing body movement or by integrating solar cells into fabrics or other imaginative solutions
From time to time we have seen some really interesting wearable gadgets, such as Smartwatches or Google glasses, or tracking devices, etc. But it seems that some researchers at MIT are not satisfied with “simple” ideas and are moving into the realm of the strange. This is how they present us with Zipperbot.
Zipperbot is the creative result of a program called Sartorial Robotics run by the MIT Robotics Research Group. The Zipperbot robot is a small device with the sole purpose of closing and opening your zipper on a jacket or sleeve without your help. While there seems to be a problem with using it on pants, it's probably just a matter of time before it's solved.
Although it seems difficult to use the zipperbot on a regular garment as it receives electricity through cables, by integrating a small battery it could become a good and useful add-on to your suits, uniforms and other clothing items. Although it cannot be applied to all types of clothing, the Zipperbot could well be used for your winter coat or jacket, especially for those who wear gloves and have difficulty zipping. Watch the video below with a demonstration of the Zipperbot:
