Swiss Engineers Unveil Thread-Like Motor Designed for Wearable Robotics

A team of researchers in Switzerland has introduced a new type of miniature motor that resembles a thread rather than a traditional machine component, a breakthrough that could help reshape the future of wearable robotics and mobility-assistance technology.

Scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) announced the development of a flexible linear motor only a few millimeters thick. The technology, known as FiberMotor, was designed to deliver movement while remaining lightweight, flexible, and suitable for integration into fabrics and wearable systems. The research has been published in the scientific journal Advanced Materials.

The innovation addresses one of the most persistent challenges in wearable robotics: generating useful mechanical movement without relying on bulky motors, gears, and rigid structures. Existing robotic assistance systems often depend on hardware that can restrict natural movement or add significant weight. Researchers say the new approach could eventually allow assistance systems to be woven directly into clothing.

Unlike conventional electric motors, the FiberMotor operates through a unique fiber-based design. The device consists of two hollow fibers positioned inside one another and surrounded by extremely thin copper-wire electrodes. When electrical voltage is applied, electrostatic forces cause the fibers to move relative to each other, creating linear motion. This design eliminates the need for traditional gear systems and mechanical transmissions.

The result is a motor capable of producing motion while maintaining a level of flexibility that is difficult to achieve with conventional robotic systems. Researchers say the technology can move naturally with the body rather than resisting it. If an external force pushes against the motor’s intended direction, the fibers simply slide rather than locking into place, a characteristic that could improve comfort and safety in wearable applications.

The development builds on earlier work from EPFL’s Soft Transducers Laboratory, which previously created a fiber-based pump designed for smart textiles. That earlier project demonstrated how mechanical functions could be incorporated directly into fabric structures. The new motor expands that concept by transforming electrical energy directly into controlled movement within a fiber-sized device.

Laboratory testing demonstrated that the technology is already capable of generating measurable force. Researchers reported that individual motors were able to support loads of roughly 75 grams under static conditions. In another demonstration, four motors working together generated enough force to lift a 46-gram chocolate bar and drive a robotic finger system. While these tests represent early-stage experiments, they provide evidence that the concept can produce practical mechanical output.

One of the most notable demonstrations involved integrating the technology into a wearable garment prototype shaped around a knee joint. The experiment was designed to explore how multiple motors could be distributed throughout clothing rather than concentrated in a single rigid unit. Researchers believe future smart textiles could contain numerous FiberMotors working together to assist movements such as bending, extending, lifting, or walking.

The potential applications extend beyond mobility support. Scientists involved in the project envision the technology being used in soft exosuits, lightweight prosthetic systems, and wearable haptic devices that provide physical feedback in virtual or augmented reality environments. The motor’s combination of flexibility and force generation could make it attractive for applications where traditional mechanical systems are impractical.

Wearable robotics has emerged as one of the fastest-growing fields in engineering and healthcare. Researchers around the world are developing systems intended to help people recovering from injuries, individuals with mobility limitations, industrial workers performing repetitive tasks, and even athletes seeking performance support. However, widespread adoption has often been limited by concerns about comfort, weight, and complexity. Technologies that can integrate directly into clothing may help address some of those obstacles.

Commercial interest in the technology is already taking shape. According to EPFL, the lead author of the research has launched a startup company called Elecsyor to explore commercialization opportunities. The company’s goal is to help move the technology from laboratory research toward real-world applications. Researchers emphasized, however, that additional work remains necessary before commercial deployment becomes possible. Improving durability, efficiency, and overall performance remains a primary focus of ongoing development.

Future research is expected to concentrate on refining materials, increasing power output, and integrating sensing capabilities that allow wearable systems to respond intelligently to a user’s movements. Such feedback mechanisms could eventually enable robotic garments to adapt in real time, delivering assistance only when needed.

While practical consumer products may still be years away, the FiberMotor represents another step toward a future where advanced robotic functions are embedded directly into everyday clothing. By combining flexibility, compact design, and functional movement in a thread-sized package, Swiss researchers have demonstrated a new approach that could influence the next generation of assistive technologies and wearable robotic systems.