The fashion industry is undergoing a profound transformation—one driven not by seasonal trends, but by urgent structural challenges. Rising labor costs, fragile supply chains, growing sustainability expectations, and critical skills shortages are pushing manufacturers to rethink the way they produce.

A new report by the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT), developed in collaboration with the Robotics Living Lab and other partners, explores how automation and robotics can help reshape the future of fashion manufacturing. Among the most promising technologies? Collaborative robots, or cobots, like those developed by JAKA Robotics.

Cobots: Affordable, Flexible, and Scalable

Unlike traditional industrial robots, cobots are designed to work safely alongside human operators. They are compact, easy to program, and well-suited for the types of dull, repetitive tasks often found in textile and apparel production—such as:

• Cutting

• Sorting

• Quality inspection

• Packaging

By integrating cobots into their operations, fashion manufacturers can:

✅ Scale small-batch production with greater agility
✅ Reduce material waste through improved precision
✅ Enhance quality and consistency
✅ Upskill existing workers instead of replacing them
✅ Reshore production closer to end markets

Real-World Impact: Robotics Living Lab

Thanks to our valued partner POMO Robotics, JAKA cobots are now part of the Robotics Living Lab, a new facility launched by the Manchester Fashion Institute. This lab serves as a research and demonstration hub, showing how accessible and flexible automation solutions can support high-quality, sustainable fashion production—even in small batches.

Global Challenges, Global Solutions

While the report is focused on the UK, the fashion industry faces these pressures worldwide. From Europe to Asia, North America to Africa, the need for smarter, more sustainable manufacturing is universal.

Cobots aren’t just a trend—they’re a tool for transformation. By blending human creativity with robotic efficiency, we can co-create a resilient, future-ready fashion ecosystem.

📘 Read the full report:

Advancing Automation and Robotics for Sustainable Manufacturing – Strategic Pathways for the UK Fashion and Textile Industry
👉 Read here

Interested in automation for your fashion business?

Let’s talk. Contact us to explore how cobots can help your team grow stronger—together.