UndaTech has signed a project agreement to test high-performance, fire-resistant undergarments tailored to the needs of female personnel in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), supported by the Defence’s Trailblazer’s Technology Development & Acceleration program.
Personal protective clothing (PPC) and equipment (PPE) have historically been designed around the needs of male personnel, and there is a growing need to address female-specific health concerns with customised gear.
Undergarments and base layers are a crucial but often overlooked final layer of protection and support beneath PPE. Commercial options are unsuitable for wearing under firefighting suits or body armour, and are often made of flammable synthetics. The lack of suitable undergarments impacts women’s ability to perform physically demanding tasks comfortably, highlighting the critical need for tailored PPC and PPE.
From left: Academic project lead Dr Imrana Kabir, UndaTech co-founder and CEO Emily Pyke, and co-founder Elisabeth Hudson, pictured at the UNSW Investor Showcase.
UndaTech is directly addressing these priorities through the development and provision of specialised undergarments and base layers tailored predominantly for ADF women in high-risk environments. Its undergarments are composed of natural and fire-resistant materials that seamlessly integrate with existing protective equipment. They are designed to manage health risks in all operational contexts, aligned with the Chief of the Defence Force Work Health and Safety Policy.
“These garments are designed to mitigate health risks for women in frontline roles,” said ADF veteran Emily Pyke, UndaTech Founder and project investigator. “They also boost performance by alleviating the distraction of ill-fitting or inadequate gear.”
The UndaTech fire-safe bra.
UndaTech and UNSW chief investigator Dr Imrana Kabir will collaborate to test and evaluate flame-resistant, durable, and comfortable undergarments and base layers. The garments will undergo comprehensive testing to meet the necessary criteria for fire resistance, comfort, breathability and chemical resistance.
“Rigorous testing will determine the optimal combination of materials that meet both performance and comfort requirements for the target application,” said Dr Kabir.
In addition to the ADF target market, UndaTech is actively pursuing opportunities for high-risk markets like emergency services, industrial sectors (mining, construction, and oil and gas), search and rescue, border force and the US military.
