{"id":28066,"date":"2025-12-09T11:11:06","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T04:11:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mtec.or.th\/en\/?p=28066"},"modified":"2026-03-06T13:18:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T06:18:34","slug":"rachel-wacoal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mtec.or.th\/en\/rachel-wacoal\/","title":{"rendered":"Strategic Public\u2013Private Partnership to Unveil \u2018Rachel\u2019 Muscle-Support Bodysuit to Enhance Senior Mobility, Minimize Fall Risks, and Strengthen Long-Term Quality of Life"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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On December 8, 2025, at Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) \u2014 represented by the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) \u2014 announced a formal collaboration with the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI), the Office of the National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), and Thai Wacoal Public Company Limited. This partnership marks the official debut of the \u2018Rachel\u2019 innovation, a sophisticated muscle-support bodysuit engineered specifically for an aging society to augment mobility and prevent musculoskeletal injuries.<\/span><\/p>

The initiative constitutes a strategic public\u2013private technology transfer aimed at full-scale commercialization. A primary long-term objective is the integration of this technology into Thailand\u2019s Universal Health Coverage (Gold Card) benefits package. The press conference featured leaders from the partner organizations, including Associate Professor Dr. Toemsak Srikhirin, Director of MTEC, NSTDA; Dr. Supakit Sirilak (M.D.), Director of HSRI; Ms. Wasana Thongchan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Older Persons; Dr. Chawetsan Namwat (M.D.), Director of the Office for Health System Development Support at Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth); Ms. Indhira Nakasakun, Marketing Director of Thai Wacoal Public Company Limited; and Dr. Sarawut Lerspalungsanti, Deputy Director of MTEC, NSTDA.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Associate Professor Dr. Toemsak Srikhirin, Director of the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), emphasized that NSTDA, as Thailand\u2019s premier science and technology institution, is dedicated to translating scientific discoveries into practical solutions that enhance public health and quality of life. The \u2018Rachel\u2019 innovation is an advanced exosuit developed to address the challenges of Thailand\u2019s aging society. \u00a0Backed by research funding from the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI) and the Office of the National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) since 2022, its primary objective is to extend active aging, enabling older adults to preserve independence and well-being.<\/span><\/p>

This initiative also promotes social equality by empowering seniors to proactively manage their health and defer dependence. The project exemplifies the \u2018From Lab to Market\u2019 framework, in which laboratory research is refined, scaled, and commercialized to deliver tangible, measurable social benefits.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Dr. Sarawut Lerspalungsanti, Deputy Director of MTEC, NSTDA, noted that the \u2018Rachel Everyday\u2019 bodysuit was developed utilizing a human-centered design approach, integrating multidisciplinary expertise \u2014 specifically in engineering and materials science \u2014 to create a solution that effectively addresses the requirements of everyday life in Thailand. The partnership between MTEC and Thai Wacoal has facilitated the transition of laboratory technology into a market-ready product, marking a significant milestone for NSTDA as a dependable technology partner. The innovation aims to deliver sustainable value to both senior adults and working-age individuals seeking proactive self-care and injury prevention.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Dr. Supakit Sirilak (MD), Director of the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI), stated that Thailand\u2019s transition into an aged society poses a significant challenge to the national health system. He specifically highlighted the issue of falls, which imposes a heavy burden on both patients and public healthcare budgets. The \u2018Rachel\u2019 bodysuit serves as a critical intervention, facilitating greater stability and independence for older adults and thereby reducing injury risk while promoting comprehensive physical and mental well-being.<\/span><\/p>

HSRI has allocated research funding since 2022 to develop \u2018Rachel\u2019 in response to the requirements of the \u201cPhruetthaphalang\u201d (Active Aging) demographic, which focuses on empowering seniors to maintain health, remain socially engaged, and enjoy a secure quality of life. The wearable technology augments muscle function, optimizes posture, and mitigates risk factors associated with falls.<\/span><\/p>

In addition, HSRI is committed to promoting the development of indigenous medical and assistive devices to reduce reliance on imports and bolster long-term health security. This collaboration represents a concrete example of integrating academic knowledge, the healthcare system, and the industrial sector. A key mission of HSRI is to drive innovation toward \u2018universal access,\u2019 with plans to advocate for the inclusion of \u2018Rachel\u2019 in Thailand\u2019s Universal Health Coverage (Gold Card) scheme. This would enable equitable and sustainable access to this technology for all citizens, ultimately reducing injury-related burdens and generating positive long-term economic and social impacts.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Ms. Wasana Thongchan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Older Persons, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, projected that over the next decade, Thailand will have more than 20 million senior adults \u2014 representing one in three citizens \u2014 which will result in wide-ranging economic and social impacts. The Department of Older Persons (DOP) is consequently tasked with ensuring that seniors can live with dignity and an enhanced quality of life, focusing on promoting well-being across five key dimensions: social, health, economic, environmental, and technological.<\/span><\/p>

The \u2018Rachel\u2019 innovation exemplifies a self-reliance\u2013oriented solution, assisting in the reinforcement of core muscle movement, mitigating fall risk factors, and empowering older adults to lead more active and confident lives. Furthermore, it serves to extend the period of \u2018active aging\u2019 while reducing the likelihood of entering a \u2018homebound or bedridden\u2019 stage that requires intensive care and incurs high costs.<\/span><\/p>

Previously, the Department of Older Persons partnered with NSTDA to develop the \u2018Nirun for Community\u2019 system as a strategic tool for real-time data recording and care monitoring. This platform enables healthcare workers to analyze and plan personalized care while ensuring older people can access the welfare benefits to which they are entitled.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Dr. Chawetsan Namwat (MD), Head of the Office for Health System Development Support at the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), explained that the demographic shift toward an aging society poses significant challenges to healthcare, society, and the economy. The \u2018Rachel\u2019 innovation integrates science, technology, and health to enhance the well-being of older adults.<\/span><\/p>

ThaiHealth\u2019s primary objective is to develop Value-Based Health Care (VBHC), which generates preventive and health-promoting value through measurable outcomes, risk reduction, and the encouragement of sustainable, healthy behaviors.<\/span><\/p>

The organization also aims to foster innovation for universal access by collaborating with partners such as HSRI, NSTDA, and the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to share knowledge and expand access to health innovations, ensuring that all Thai citizens benefit equally.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Ms. Indhira Nakasakun, Marketing Director of Thai Wacoal Public Company Limited, stated that, as a leading textile and apparel brand with more than 55 years of expertise, Wacoal has collaborated with the MTEC research team to convert laboratory technologies into products that are comfortable, stylish, and practical for everyday application. The primary challenge was to evolve this innovation into a \u2018functional fashion\u2019 that users could confidently incorporate into their daily lives.<\/span><\/p>

The \u2018Rachel Everyday\u2019 bodysuit marks a significant step for Wacoal in developing innovative apparel by integrating multidisciplinary technologies to stabilize the shoulders, back, hips, and thigh muscles. This design effectively reduces injury risk and enhances confidence during daily activities, thereby supporting a high-quality aging society.<\/span><\/p>

The product is constructed from a nylon\u2013spandex blend that offers a firm yet flexible fit, exceptional breathability, and comfort by preventing heat or moisture buildup. It is machine-washable, equivalent to regular underwear, and features a unisex design suitable for all users. The bodysuit is available in seven sizes (ranging from M to 5XL) and accommodates an underbust measurement of 27\u201340 inches.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u2018Rachel\u2019 is now available at three primary locations:<\/span><\/p>