Reviewed by Lexie CornerJun 4 2025
It is estimated that more than 100 billion clothing items are produced globally each year, with most eventually entering recycling systems. Sorting used textiles by hand requires considerable manual labor. A research team is now exploring new technologies to help robotic grippers sort textiles more efficiently.
At present, automatic sorting systems mainly use contactless methods, such as visual and near-infrared sensors. But when people sort old textiles, they can do much more: When they touch the textiles, they can also quickly classify what should be reused and what should be recycled based on the feel of the fabric.
Hubert Zangl, Project Manager, AdapTex, Department of Smart Systems Technologies, University of Klagenfurt
However, there are still several challenges that robotic grippers need to overcome to perform this task effectively.
Zangl added, “Physical interaction with objects and the evaluation of haptic feedback are not yet sufficiently developed in robotics. When sorting textiles, robots have to work in a complex environment with randomly assembled quantities of textiles made from different materials and in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Contamination can further complicate matters.”
Gripping is a key part of the sorting process, as it directly affects how efficiently materials can be handled in recycling facilities.
To improve textile handling and sorting, the research team is working on enhancing the physical interaction between the robot gripper and the fabric. They are developing adaptive, textile-based sensor coverings that help the grippers better adjust to different materials.
“These will be intelligent materials containing networks of sensors and actuators that can adapt optimally when touched,” added Hubert Zangl.
The unique properties of AdapTex skin make it useful not only for textile recycling but also for other areas of the textile industry, such as sportswear, lifestyle clothing, and rehabilitation garments. Its extended capabilities may also benefit robots used in industrial manufacturing and automation.
The AdapTex project is led by the University of Klagenfurt and the AAU/SAL USE Lab. Project partners include Grabher Group GmbH, Infineon Technologies Austria AG, Silicon Austria Labs GmbH, and V-trion GmbH. Funding is provided by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).