World's Largest Zipper Manufacturer Innovates with Self-Propelled Zipper

Ever struggled with zippers? Well, you might soon have a solution thanks to Japan's YKK, the world's leading zipper manufacturer. Next time you grab a zipper, take a peek at the pull—it's likely stamped with YKK. They've just unveiled a groundbreaking prototype: a self-propelled zipper equipped with a motor and gear system that can zip itself up at the touch of a button on a wired remote. Imagine never having to worry about forgetting to zip up again!

Right now, this innovative zipper is a bit on the large side, measuring several inches long and far chunkier than the typical zipper pulls we're used to on our clothing. But if YKK can shrink it down, those embarrassing moments could be a thing of the past.

While recent zipper advancements like Under Armour’s MagZip have focused on enhancing accessibility, especially for those with limited mobility, YKK is eyeing industrial applications for its self-propelled zipper.

In a video recently posted on their YouTube channel, you can see this zipper in action, effortlessly connecting a pair of 16-foot-tall membranes in just about 40 seconds. Doing this manually would require ladders or heavy machinery, making YKK's solution a game-changer.

Another video showcases the prototype zipping up two 13-foot-wide temporary shelters, standing over eight feet tall, in roughly 50 seconds. It's impressive to watch it smoothly glide from one end to the other.

*The small worm gear inside YKK’s self-propelled zipper.* Screenshot: YouTube

The magic happens with a spinning worm gear that weaves through the teeth on either side, pulling the zipper along. You can spot a power cable attached to the prototype in the videos. To bring this to our everyday clothing, YKK has a few hurdles to overcome: they need to miniaturize the technology, incorporate a battery, and ensure safety mechanisms are in place to prevent anything from getting stuck.