Enfold: A Revolutionary Leap in Smart TextilesTransformable Fabric Enhances Independence for People with Movement Disorders
Enfold, a groundbreaking design by Helen Koo, Jason Lin, and Jasmine Zhou, is a transformable smart textile that redefines the concept of clothing for people with movement disorders. This innovative design, inspired by the dignity and quality of life of its users, is as transformable as a living creature, allowing the wearer to don and doff the garment at the touch of a button.
The unique properties of Enfold set it apart from other designs. This transformable smart textile is applied to clothing that folds and envelops the wearer using origami folding with shape memory alloy (SMA). It is designed to assist those who have trouble dressing, allowing the garment to wrap around and fit the wearer without outside help. This technology is expected to be beneficial for people with Cerebral Palsy (CP), other body movement disorders, and the elderly.
The realization of Enfold involved the exploration of various techniques and materials. The fabric was chosen for its abrasion-resistant and lightweight characteristics, which allow it to sustain the folded origami shapes and transform easily with less power required for the SMA. The transformation is controlled by an Arduino pro mini and a momentary pushbutton switch.
The design process was not without its challenges. Finding the appropriate origami methods for folding the fabrics and integrating the shape memory alloy were significant hurdles. However, through various experimentations, the team was able to overcome these challenges and create a product that is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing.
Enfold was developed in the Fashion Design and Technology Lab (FT Lab) at UC Davis, California, from January to July 2015. It was exhibited at the International Symposium on Wearable Computers (ISWC) in Osaka, Japan in 2015 and Czong Institute for Contemporary Art (CICA) New Media in Seoul, Korea in 2016. The design has been recognized with the prestigious Golden A' Textile, Fabric, Textures, Patterns and Cloth Design Award in 2016.
The Enfold project is a testament to the power of design and technology in improving the quality of life for people with movement disorders. It is a shining example of how innovation can transform lives, one garment at a time.
Project Details and Credits
Project Designers: Helen S. Koo, Jason Lin & Jasmine Zhou
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Jason Lin, Enfold textile, 2015
Image #2: Photographer Jason Lin, Enfold textile, 2015
Image #3: Photographer Jason Lin, Enfold jacket, 2015
Image #4: Photographer Jason Lin, Enfold jacket flat sketch, 2015
Image #5: Photographer Jason Lin, Enfold textile configuration, 2015
Project Team Members: Fashion Design and Technology Lab (FT Lab), UC Davis
Director/Principal Investigator: Helen Koo
FT Lab Researcher/Designer: Jason Lin
FT Lab Researcher/Designer: Jasmine Zhou
Project Name: Enfold
Project Client: Helen S. Koo, Jason Lin & Jasmine Zhou