Intelligent, soft robotic clothing to aid independently living

Soft robotics has a different focus than conventional robotics. Wearable soft robotics are new compliant active materials and structures that work in harmony with the human body. Artificial muscles, made from smart materials, replace motors and can bend, twist, or contract, when electrically stimulated. The idea is to restore mobility and physical functionality.

The soft robotic clothing, or second skin, is designed to help vulnerable people avoid falls by supporting them whilst walking. It also gives them added bionic strength to move between sitting and standing positions, and help people climb stairs.

Bot-Talks

The Right Trousers is one of many leading robotics companies and industry projects which will be at Bot-Talks. Some of Europe’s leading experts on robotics will descend on The Watershed, on 20th November as Bot-Hive holds its first ever Bot-Talks (tickets available here).

Created to provide SMEs with a best-in-class overview of robotics and automation, Bot-Talks consists of presentations from leading industry experts, a panel discussion and a networking hall filled with robot demonstrations.

Bot-Hive CEO Jacques Bonfrer will open an afternoon of talks, with the following line-up: Mike Wilson, Chairman of British Association of Robotics & Automation, on the state of UK robotics; Kate Hyslop, Head of Marketing of Automata, on democratising robotics; Jim Davison, Regional Director of Make UK on robotics in manufacturing; Professor Tony Pipe, Deputy Director of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, on autonomous vehicles; and, Karl Foster, Head of Technology at Blake Morgan, on robotics and ethics.

This will be followed by a panel discussion between: Farid Dailami, Associate Professor
of the Research Innovation Facility Bristol; Dominic Keen, CEO of Britbots; Dr Susanne Bieller, General Secretary of the International Federation of Robotics; Paul Grantham, Manufacturing Lead at Natwest; and Ashu Sharma, Robotics Expert, PwC Consulting.

Bot-Hive CEO Jacques Bonfrer said: “This is a superb opportunity to hear some of the leading lights in the robotics sector talk about the state of play as regards UK industry and automation, where we currently are and what is coming up in the future. UK industry has to automate in order to become competitive within the global market and SMEs need someone to look to for guidance and leadership in these difficult times. I hope that Bot-Talks will play a part in this process.”