Process

Ideation & sketches

The proposed study will generate new knowledge because, although extensive research exists on adaptive shirts, soft‑robotic gloves, and inflatable textile actuators, none of these works address the unique challenges of developing touch‑free trousers for lower‑body dressing. Existing studies on shape‑changing garments, pneumatic actuation, and textile‑integrated robotics (Yap et al., 2017; McLeod et al., 2020; Goshtasbi et al., 2025) demonstrate the technical feasibility of wearable actuation but do not extend these innovations to trousers, which involve more complex biomechanical and functional requirements. By exploring how soft‑robotic and textile‑based actuators can assist with autonomous trouser donning, this study introduces an unexamined application area and therefore contributes novel insights to adaptive clothing research.
The study will also benefit the community by addressing a critical need among individuals with mobility impairments who struggle with lower‑body dressing. Assistive actuation technologies such as compliant pneumatic systems and fabric‑muscle sheets have already been shown to enhance user independence and safety (Deimel & Brock, 2013; Zhu et al., 2020). Their application to trousers has the potential to reduce caregiver dependency, support rehabilitation goals, and improve quality of life for people with disabilities. Insights from this study may further inform policies related to inclusive product design, assistive technology adoption, and disability‑support services, promoting broader social and health‑system impact.
This project also fills a clear gap in the literature, as current studies primarily focus on upper‑body garments, hands, or robotic limb support. Lower‑body adaptive clothing remains underexplored despite presenting greater physical challenges, such as bending, load transfer, and multi‑segment coordination. Existing soft‑robotic work on fabric‑reinforced actuators and flexible pneumatic systems (Yap et al., 2017; Nguyen et al., 2022) highlights the potential for controlled movement in textiles, yet the specific problem of assisting trouser donning remains unaddressed. By articulating a structured approach to integrating soft actuators into trousers, this study helps resolve uncertainties about feasibility, comfort, and safe operation in lower‑body applications.
Finally, the topic touches well with technological innovation, engineering for societal benefit, disability inclusion, and community‑centered research. Developing touch‑free trousers integrates advanced engineering with social impact, addressing real‑world problems experienced by vulnerable populations. As the study advances assistive wearable technologies and promotes independence for people with physical challenges, it fits squarely within academic themes related to health, rehabilitation, inclusive design, and applied science.

Design & Fabrication

Interview Questions

File: Interview questionnaires Interview questions:

once you start designing and fabricating your first tests, you can link both at the bottom of the page with footnotes

"This step of the process was important because i learnt to draft my own pattern digitally. The first tests of this can be seen here on the right, find half- or test-fabrication files here¹"

Prototypes

prototypes are your first step towards shaping your final piece, product, material et cetera

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Mentoring notes

Mentors in all sessions may share with you their comments, notes, advise, projects and technical equipment to check out. This is good place to share those, so that you can find them later on when you need them the most!

Half-fabrication files

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1. Test file: 3d modelling test ↩