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Apparel zipper technology developed a decade ago could one day find its way to assisting installers of structures at heights, which often can present logistical, safety and equipment challenges. At the Consumer Electronics Show in January, zipper company YKK® presented a demonstration of a prototype so-called “Autonomous Zipper”—although “remotely operated” more precisely describes it.
Last spring YKK conducted a demonstration test of the prototype at Taiyo Kogyo Corp.’s factory in Hirakata, Japan, joining a 5-meter (16-foot) membrane in about 40 seconds and joining two MAK Quick Shelter disaster-relief tents in about 50 seconds. The two structures were 4 meters wide and deep by 2.5 meters high (13 feet wide and deep by 8 feet high), with the ceiling unreachable by hand.
The Autonomous Zipper uses a self-propelled unit equipped with gears and a motor, which is operated via a wired controller.
For now, the product is only in testing stages in tents in Japan. It is part of the company’s Global Product Innovation Center division, established last April, which is headquartered in Silicon Valley with additional offices in Kurobe and Tokyo, Japan. The division was established to collaborate with startups and research institutions.
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