Thriving on innovation, the University’s 200th year will see the opening of a new Robotics Living Lab (RoLL) at the Manchester Fashion institute.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) awarded £3.8 million for the design and build of the new facility. The timber and straw pavilion is low carbon and has been designed by Bennetts Associates. It will provide an adaptable workspace that can also be used for exhibitions and events for RoLL to promote and showcase its work and research.  

The ‘Robotics Living Lab’ will explore more sustainable approaches for fashion manufacturing. RoLL will see fashion researchers, designers and manufacturers working together with robots to create high-value, low-volume fashion.  

RoLL will drive new tooling solutions - creating new stitching, cutting, pressing and repair tools. This will support small fashion design businesses in using innovative manufacturing processes for more sustainable production.  

Collaborative robots, known as ‘Cobots’ will work alongside humans in the lab, to perform these tasks. The development of design software for pattern cutting and garment construction sequencing will also allow for digitally enhanced design and manufacturing to take place.  

"The lab will support new research in collaboration with small businesses to bring back fashion manufacturing to the UK."

Professor Postlethwaite

Collaborative robots, known as ‘Cobots’ will work alongside humans in the lab, to perform these tasks. The development of design software for pattern cutting and garment construction sequencing will also allow for digitally enhanced design and manufacturing to take place.  

The facility will encourage new forms of research partnerships and enable new research into sustainable approaches for UK garment manufacturers. This will also inform policy on carbon neutral manufacturing and support Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s 2038 target for net zero in the sector.  

Susan Postlethwaite, Professor of Fashion at Manchester Fashion Institute and Director of RoLL said: “The lab will support new research in collaboration with small businesses to bring back fashion manufacturing to the UK, using new technologies to develop innovative, new, carbon neutral and sustainable approaches to high value, low volume production. 

“It will also enable fashion designers and manufacturers to work together using cutting edge technology. This will impact hugely on micro and SME businesses and together we will be able to make a positive impact on the industry.” 

RoLL will challenge the way fashion is made and lead the way towards a sustainable future for the fashion manufacturing industry.