PolyU innovation in thermally-adaptive soft robotic clothing wins Gold Prize at Edison Awards 2026

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to translating world‑class innovations into practical applications that benefit industries and society. Supported by The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), a project led by PolyU researchers to develop the first-of-its-kind thermally-adaptive soft robotic clothing has won the Gold Prize at the 2026 Edison Awards. This intelligent clothing enhances thermal comfort with ultra‑high breathability in extreme cold and dynamically changing thermal environments, which is crucial for safeguarding wearers’ safety and health, demonstrating PolyU’s strength in advancing intelligent wearable technologies and impactful research.

Led by Prof. Dahua SHOU, Associate Director of PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute, Associate Director of Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion, Lee Family Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies and Associate Professor at School of Fashion and Textiles, and funded by HKRITA, the invention “iAdapt: Intelligent Soft Robotic Clothing” has won the Gold Award in the “Consumer Solutions” category at the 2026 Edison Awards.This thermally adaptive soft robotic clothing automatically adjusts its air gap to maintain comfort across a range of thermal conditions. By employing a programmable inflation-deflation process in its embedded soft robotic skeletons, it can tune and optimise heat and moisture transport properties while maintaining consistently high breathability. Made from durable, lightweight, and skin-friendly fabrics, the clothing is washable, waterproof, and more breathable than thermally equivalent down jackets.

Guided by sensor data and optimised thermal management models, wearers can monitor and adjust the garment’s settings via a mobile app. As artificial intelligence is further integrated into the system, it could enable more adaptive, personalised, and responsive thermal regulation in changing environments. This breakthrough innovation offers personalised thermal comfort for a wide range of professional and general users, including outdoor workers, firefighters, and athletes. It represents a major step forward in intelligent wearable technology with strong market potential.

Established in 1987, the Edison Awards recognise and honour outstanding innovations, products, and services that demonstrate originality, creativity, and advanced technology. The awards are organised by the non-profit organisation Edison Universe, which is dedicated to promoting innovation.