132503Unmade Knitwear PlatformClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UK*Need: Long lead times force brands and knitwear manufacturers to predict trends many months in advance, resulting in 10% of garments remaining unsold and being landfilled. As fashion trends accelerate, brands are ordering smaller volumes, making UK manufacture unprofitable as knitwear development is expensive and slow. Knit programmers currently manually translate designs into machine code, a highly skilled role in short supply, limiting UK knitwear production. *Solution: Unmade is an online knitwear customization and knitting machine management platform. Unmade allows: 1) Automated machine code production from knitwear designs, for accelerated knitwear development. 2) Brands to offer unique, tailored garments at an accessible price point, increasing ecommerce traffic and diversifying product offerings. 3) Zero stock production operations, significantly reducing costs. 4) Re-shoring of knitwear production, benefitting UK supply chains. *Approach: Unmade must develop: 1) Automated knitting machine code creation software to support whole-garment production. 2) Dynamic yarn tension model which accounts for yarn type, knitting structure and pattern to ensure correct fit, texture, stretchiness and longevity. 3) Efficient and dynamic knitting machine management software. 4) Fit and size customisation platform that also analyses machine availability and stock to adjust delivery estimates and pricing. *Impact: Project will allow Unmade to support automated whole garment knitwear production and prove efficacy to brand partners, increasing competiveness & growth.