Humanoid Robot Fashion Challenge

Friday–Sunday, October 16–18, 2026

KSU Design Innovation Hub, Reactor Makerspace

The Humanoid Robot Fashion Challenge at Kent State University is an interdisciplinary design challenge exploring a rapidly emerging question: How might we design for a world shared with humanoid robots? Over the course of the weekend, teams will get hands-on with humanoid robots to understand how they move, function, interact, and present new design constraints and opportunities. Participants will then use those discoveries to imagine new products, wearable solutions, experiences, and business opportunities for humanoid robots — from fashion and functional coverings to accessories, interfaces, services, and entirely new ideas we haven't considered yet. Your team will compete for opportunities to have your design solutions shows in New York City's Fashion Week in February 2027, plus over $3500 in awards are up for grabs!

The challenge brings together fashion, technology, engineering, design, entrepreneurship, business, and making. Participants will work in interdisciplinary teams alongside mentors and technical experts to move from understanding the robot to identifying opportunities, developing ideas, prototyping solutions, and considering their potential as real products or ventures. You do not need to know how to sew, design clothing, or work with robots to participate. We need different perspectives and skill sets to explore what this emerging technology could make possible.

The Humanoid Robot Fashion Challenge is presented by Kent State Design Innovation, the KnitLAB, and the ATR Lab and is supported by funding from the Burton D. Morgan Foundation.