Design and Product Development

Developing a Full-Body Wearable Robotic Suit through Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Lessons Learned from an Empirical Project Case

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Abstract

Wearable robotic systems require not only advanced mechanical and electronic components but also precise coordination with the human body to ensure comfort, mobility, and performance. This study presents a four-year multidisciplinary project focused on developing a full-body wearable robotic suit designed to enable high-speed sprinting, synthesizing expertise from engineering, kinesiology, medicine, and apparel design. The project followed five iterative stages—component analysis, placement and attachment design, interference control, integration, and evaluation—repeating each cycle to refine the system. Practical challenges emerged from conflicting technical requirements, hard–soft material incompatibilities, and the need to accommodate body movement without compromising component stability. Through continuous negotiation and iterative prototyping, the team developed strategies for mapping components on 3D body models, consolidating overlapping technologies, and creating unified robotic structures. This study demonstrates an integrated, human-centered approach to wearable robotics development and highlights the importance of collaborative problem-solving for next-generation wearable systems.

Keywords: wearable robot, human-device interaction, multidisciplinary design process, ergonomic design

How to Cite:

Hong, Y. & Park, J., (2025) “Developing a Full-Body Wearable Robotic Suit through Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Lessons Learned from an Empirical Project Case”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21969