High school girl completes wearable robot setup. What is the wearable robot developed by Kyun-kun?
Dentsu Inc. International Information Services (ISID)'s research and development organization, the Open Innovation Lab (Inolab), is a technology boutique that gathers cutting-edge technologies from around the world, shares them, conducts proof-of-concept experiments, and challenges the world with their potential.
Among InnoLab's external researchers is Kyun-kun, a globally active creator working on "Robotics Fashion," which merges robots and fashion. Born in 1994, she is 21 years old and leads InnoLab's new research domain, "Robotinity & Fashion."
Kyun-kun recently developed the wearable arm robot "METCALF clione." "Mecaf" originates from her term "Mecafuku" (Mecha-clothing) for wearable robots. This is the second piece in her Mecaf series. Clione, as you may know, refers to that creature belonging to the Nudibranchia suborder (or Nudibranchia suborder, or suborder Nudibranchia) of the Gastropoda class, Nudibranchia family. The reason is that this exterior features blue graphics with a translucent quality, evoking marine life.
Unveiled for the first time alongside the designer and cosplayer!
Inolab unveiled this METCALF clione on March 22 at ISID headquarters in Minato Ward, Tokyo. It was the world premiere.
The event featured an interview format with Kyun-kun and Rei Nakanishi, the graphic designer involved in METCALF clione's design. Rei originally handled Kyun-kun's business cards and the design of her "Kyn" logo. Kyun-kun's wish to create a robot together has now been realized for the first time.
First, introducing the promotional video. It's a concept video incorporating METCALF clione into the everyday lifestyle of a high school girl, from waking up in the morning to going to school. Wearing casual clothes would give an unnatural impression, so she wears her uniform to create a sense of everyday life.
Kyun-kun has been developing METCALF for about two years. He majored in robotics during his student days, then developed an interest in fashion. He fused these fields to create "robots as fashion." This METCALF clione is an upgraded successor model to the original METCALF. Despite being packed with numerous meticulous details, the entire process from design to completion took a remarkably short time of about three months.
Wearing METCALF clione is renowned cosplayer Riko Konoe. "She was the perfect fit for the transparent METCALF clione. We had planned to have her model it from the conceptual stage."
Smaller and lighter than the previous model, operated via smartphone
The first difference from previous METCALF models is weight reduction. "The previous model featured a design prominently using aluminum and weighed 3kg, making it heavy for daily wear. This time, focusing on weight reduction, we successfully achieved approximately half the weight of the previous model by utilizing acrylic panels and aluminum."
The second difference is the incorporation of graphics. Kyun-kun explained, "Previous robots rarely featured design-oriented graphics. Since METCALF clione is a robot for fashion, we prioritized design aesthetics." Rei, responsible for the design, added, "We didn't create special designs just because the material is a robot; instead, we naturally integrated graphics as an extension of fashion."
The third key point is the ability to operate METCALF via smartphone. Previously, movement required microcontroller programming. This time, by utilizing Asratec's "V-Sido OS," actions like startup can now be performed intuitively from a smartphone.
We can't take our eyes off Kyun-kun as he takes flight onto the world stage
Kyun-kun shared his vision: "I want to create fashion and designs unconstrained by human form. For METCALF clione's future development, we plan to increase the number of joints for greater freedom and incorporate more flexible movements. We also aim to create robots for various body parts beyond just the shoulders, ultimately enabling diverse people to incorporate robots into their fashion."
This METCALF clione will be exhibited at the " Umekita Future Lab" within the " Umekita Festival " held at Grand Front Osaka in Osaka City from March 30th to April 2nd. It will also be showcased in operation at the international media art event "Ban Nu Meric" in France this June.
Led by Kyun-kun, Inolab's "Robotinity & Fashion" initiative will continue developing wearable devices that integrate fashion and technology, tailored to individual lifestyles. By expanding the scope of fashion expression and challenging the diversification of self-expression worldwide, it promises to be a project worth keeping an eye on.
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