The innovation, created by a team of scientists from South Korea's KAIST and Stanford University, uses soft robotic technology to help people wear clothing without using their hands or relying on assistance from others. Researchers believe the system could have significant applications in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, emergency response, healthcare, and elderly care.
At the heart of the technology are soft, flexible air-powered "vines" embedded inside garments. Once activated by air pressure, the vines gently move the clothing upward, guiding it around the wearer's body in a smooth, controlled motion. The system works by turning the clothing inside out as it climbs along the body, allowing users to put on a full protective suit in approximately 10 seconds.
The concept was inspired by a simple real-life experience.
"When I was riding a bicycle, it started to rain ... and I thought it would be helpful if a raincoat could be put on automatically (as I ride)," said KAIST postdoctoral researcher Kim Nam Gyun, the lead author of the study.
Explaining how the technology works, Kim said the robotic system mimics the climbing movement of ivy plants.
"The vine robot stays close to the person and dresses them by turning the clothing inside out as it moves, allowing it to climb stably along the shape of the body," Kim said, adding it takes about 10 seconds to put on a full suit.
Unlike many wearable robotic systems that require users to remain perfectly still or depend on sophisticated software to coordinate movement, the new design functions even when the wearer is moving. According to the research team, the technology operates without relying on complex control algorithms, making it simpler and potentially more practical for everyday use.
The robotic mechanism draws inspiration from climbing ivy, which extends by growing from its tip instead of moving its entire body. That biological principle allows the wearable robot to travel smoothly over the body's curves while maintaining stability.
Ryu Jee-Hwan, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at KAIST, explained the advantages of the design.
"It can pass through narrow gaps, grow while adapting to the shape of its surrounding environment, and move regardless of whether the surface is slippery, sticky, or sloped," he said.
Researchers say the technology could provide valuable support for elderly people and individuals with physical disabilities who struggle to dress independently. Beyond personal assistance, the system could also improve efficiency in workplaces where employees must quickly put on or remove specialised protective clothing.
Potential applications include semiconductor cleanrooms, where workers must wear contamination-free suits, as well as emergency services, where firefighters, medical responders and hazardous materials teams often need to wear personal protective equipment as quickly as possible.
Ryu noted that while the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence has focused much public attention on software, innovations in mechanical engineering remain equally important in advancing next-generation robotics.
The findings were published in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, highlighting the growing role of soft robotics in developing practical wearable technologies that could transform both industrial operations and everyday life.