A modern, well-lit laboratory with various equipment and tools. A person stands at a large table, working with an embroidery machine. The workspace includes multiple computer monitors, rolls of fabric, and technical devices on the tables. Large windows in the background allow natural light in.

Robotics Living Lab

The Robotics Living Lab (RoLL) is a £3.8m development at Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University.

RoLL is funded by the World Class Labs programme through the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), which aims to give UK researchers and innovators access to the quality laboratories, equipment and digital resources they need to thrive.


Equipped with collaborative robotics and textile adjacent technologies, the new fashion research facility supports micro-scale fashion businesses using robotic technologies, particularly focussing on creating high-value, low-volume fashion production in the UK.

A technician wearing a brown shirt and an ID badge stands in a robot laboratory. In the background and foreground, various pieces of equipment are visible, including robotic arms and shelves containing assorted items.
A person wearing a blue shirt is operating a robotic arm in a robot lab manually, putting the robot in position. The work surface shows various tools. In the background, a mannequin is partially dressed in fabric. Another individual is holding up a smartphone, possibly to take a photo or record video.

RoLL conceives, tests, and develops new tooling solutions. Applications include stitching, cutting, pressing, and repair tools to support small fashion design businesses in using innovative manufacturing processes for more sustainable production.

The lab encourages new forms of research partnerships, enables fashion research to inform policy on carbon-neutral manufacturing, and supports Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s 2038 target for net-zero manufacturing.

Watch this short film to learn more:

As well as developing innovative collaborative robotic tooling, RoLL’s offer includes bespoke workshops and consultancy focused on creative and agile automation for businesses.





For enquiries, please get in touch at:

roboticslivinglab@mmu.ac.uk

Research group:
Fashion Technologies

RoLL is aligned with a new research group on Fashion Technologies, which explores the role of systems, tools and interfaces in fashion design and production through practice-focused research.

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