GETTING DRESSED Drawings and renderings explored the mechanics of a dress that could push the boundaries of engineering and inspire audiences . especially the limitations of fabric so that it wouldn ’ t get caught in the mechanics of the gears , which was a high possibility because of the complex movements we hoped to achieve .”
This team of engineers and costume designers were working against a deadline as well , hoping to debut the dress in time for the FIRST Robotics Conference , which emphasizes youth involvement in engineering . The year ’ s theme was Steampunk , an aesthetic inspired by the combination of technology and the Victorian era . Naderi planned to unveil the robotic dress onstage to an audience of 40,000 , as well as entice visitors to the Qualcomm booth .
“ I wanted us to create something that would open up people ’ s imaginations about what they can apply engineering toward ,” says Naderi .
For instance , one may not imagine making what Naderi calls a “ smart crinoline ,” or traditionally stiffened petticoats designed to make dresses extra puffy . Naderi ’ s , however , could be manipulated by four 3-D printed robotic tentacles programmed together to move in fluid motions . Controlled by a remote and a hard-wired tech board on her belt , the tentacles move in seemingly autonomous swells that reveal the dress ’ s more subtle design details , landed upon through the team ’ s collaboration .
Naderi initially drew her own mockup of the dress in black and gold . Ngernwichit wanted to push the envelope further and encouraged Naderi to go out of her comfort zone and into more vibrant colors — violet , orange , and teal — that would each be uncovered in layers as the dress moved , almost as if revealing new aspects of personality the deeper one goes .
The similarities that arose between the costume shop and an engineer ’ s workspace were striking . Both started with research and brainstorming ; they identified variables and challenges and made prototypes to see how their ideas would fare in physical form . It was also quite apparent how each space could be equally cluttered with specialized equipment — all a part of creation , be it in tech or textile .
The robotic dress was a hit on the conference stage , but what really made it worthwhile were the young kids who talked to Naderi with wonder in their eyes . “ This dress shows that there are no rules ,” she says , “ just the limits of your imagination . It ’ s important for people to see this , to see what ’ s possible in engineering — what they can contribute .”
Ngernwichit was equally thrilled to have brought the impact beyond one single garment . “ We all worked to create something that could inspire young people to take control ,” she says , “ be it in science and engineering or fashion , or maybe where those two combine , you can create something amazing .”
See the robot dress in action at tritonmag . com / dress
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