▲ Hansae Co., Ltd. unveiled various clothing items for future humanoid robots at the Textile Center in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on June 8.
Special materials that quickly dissipate mechanical heat, and pants tailored in three dimensions to accommodate robot joints that bend 360 degrees.
Clothing for caregiving robots designed with a soft aesthetic to appear friendly to the elderly and children.
This is not a scene from a movie, but "robot fashion" that we will soon encounter in our daily lives.
At a press conference held by Hansae Co., Ltd. at the Textile Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on June 8, various types of clothing for future humanoid robots were unveiled.
Kim Ik-hwan, Vice Chairman of Hansae Co., Ltd., stated, "If a future arrives where humanoids enter our lives, they will also need clothing," adding, "We will be the first company to consider and prepare for the new possibilities of the future apparel market."
The humanoid clothing produced by Hansae Co., Ltd. and Hansae MK is characterized by maintaining a human-like garment form while being optimized for the physical structure of humanoids.
The focus was placed on minimizing any sense of alienation, as humans and humanoids are expected to live together in close proximity in future society.
Son Ji-yeon, Director of the R&D Division at Hansae Co., Ltd., explained, "Although humanoids resemble humans, they have different structures," and added, "We needed an approach different from conventional clothing by considering various factors such as batteries, sensors, joint structures, and heat management."
The humanoid clothing showcased at the event incorporated cooling materials in various areas to accommodate the characteristics of robots, which generate heat much higher than human body temperature.
In fact, designs rarely seen in conventional clothing stood out, such as ▲ designs reflecting joint characteristics that move 360 degrees, unlike humans ▲ expanded exposed areas to avoid interfering with sensor operation ▲ and the use of functional fabrics capable of withstanding harsh working environments.
Furthermore, considering the reality that robots cannot dress themselves, the clothing was designed to be easily put on and taken off by humans.
Another feature is the application of customized designs that reflect specific industrial roles.
For example, robots in education, caregiving, and nursing fields were dressed in outfits that provide a soft impression for the elderly and children, while robots deployed in industrial settings were fitted with materials of high durability to withstand harsh working environments.
When asked why humanoids need to wear clothes, Director Son replied, "Because they operate in places close to humans."
She said, "Wouldn't a robot, no matter how advanced, potentially be intimidating?" and added, "To create an appearance that emphasizes friendliness, we reinterpreted functionality and future environments based on the common clothing that our company has been producing."
Starting with this project, Hansae Co., Ltd. plans to continue its research in line with future environmental changes and explore business possibilities related to the apparel market.
The exhibition will be open to the general public until June 12.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.