A new report outlines strategic pathways for the integration of automation and robotics in UK fashion and textile manufacturing. It draws on insights from over 30 industry representatives who participated in a workshop led by Manchester Metropolitan University’s Robotics Living Lab, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and the Circular Fashion Innovation Network (CFIN), as well as an industry-wide survey launched in September.

The report examines the challenges and opportunities of integrating robotics and automation into UK manufacturing, offering targeted recommendations for the government and industry to modernise the sector and enhance workforce skills. It suggests that these solutions have the potential to make the UK more competitive in international markets and drive sustainability, net zero manufacturing and a reshoring agenda.

Key recommendations include:

• UK fashion and textile companies could increase efficiency, reduce production costs, improve production quality and consistency using robotics with the right financial support e.g. inward investment.
• The UK fashion and textile sector needs support to modernise across the supply chain. Automating fabric cutting, sewing, bonding and pressing tasks as well as the sorting of raw materials, identifying textiles for recycling, and defect detection in textiles can all be carried out by robots.
• There is an opportunity to upskill the workforce in the fashion and textile sector, developing a new narrative around modern industry and industrial practices, where UK firms may lack expertise in the latest technologies.
• Success metrics for the UK fashion and textile industry include adoption of more advanced machinery and tooling across the sector.
• UK fashion and textiles firms could move from prototype to scaled production with the efficient use of collaborative robotics.
• Ease of use is crucial for the adoption of collaborative robotics as companies are more likely to invest if systems are intuitive and accessible.
• Engaging with industry to identify skills gaps, working in tandem with universities to develop new courses in sustainability and circular economic models.
• Recognising that the UK has emerging strengths in a combination of AI technologies, advanced manufacturing, and creative industries as a driver for fashion and textile sector growth.
• Inclusion of the fashion and textile sector in new Industrial Strategy policy.
• The UK Fashion and Textiles Industry and a wider manufacturing ecosystem could become a scaled-up innovative business sector that could develop circular economic models for sustainable growth.

Advancing Automation and Robotics report

The Robotics Living Lab (RoLL) led by Susan Postlethwaite, Professor of Fashion Technologies and Director of RoLL, Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University, is a new fashion research facility to help support micro-scale and SME fashion businesses to develop high value, low volume garment production using agile collaborative robotic technologies for more sustain-able production.