Robots make smart textiles easier to sort, reuse and recycle
Researchers in Germany have launched an initiative to develop robot technology for the automatic sorting of smart clothing and to make items more recycling-friendly.
The EU-funded project aims to make the design of smart textiles more sustainable through an artificial intelligence-powered robotic system for sorting smart fabrics that contain electronic parts.
The two-year programme at the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences is developing robot technology that the research team says could enable smart clothing to be sorted automatically in the future and therefore boost recycling rates.
For the full story, see the April 2026 edition of Smart Textiles & Wearables.
Photo: Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences