Ultra-stretchable and self-healable hydrogel driven by sorbitol for flexible strain sensors with anti-freezing and self-adhesive

•A Polyacrylamide/Chitosan/D-Sorbitol (PCS) conductive hydrogel that integrated multiple properties has been developed by a facile free radical polymerization.•The PCS hydrogel could respond to stimuli of 1% strain after 24 h at −10 °C by introducing sorbitol as cryoprotectant to reflect its sensitivity and adaptability.•It was competent to precisely monitor and recognize both drastic human joint movement and subtle pronunciation signals when assembled into a strain sensor.