ZOZO NEXT and AVITA sign MOU on humanoid robot clothing research

The agreement is framed around industrial settings, where humanoids are expected to work alongside people and to wear clothing that communicates their role and individuality. The release argues that if the garment itself can carry functions such as indicating motion intent or sensing contact, safety and smoother task handling could follow in specific areas like service and caregiving.

The ambition is constrained by practical gaps. Humanoids differ from people in joint movement and heat generation, so human clothing cannot simply be transferred, and know-how on materials and designs suited to robot-specific conditions is not yet established. The MOU covers joint research on textiles and clothing specialized for humanoids, but the specific themes remain under discussion.

ZOZO NEXT handles new business creation and R&D within the ZOZO group, and has previously shown projects such as the fabric "Wave of Warmth" that changes color with surrounding temperature and "Mon-kyo," a sound-emitting knit combining textile technology with piezoelectric film. AVITA is a startup led by Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University's graduate school that develops and provides avatar-related services.