RobotHub – The ZHAW Hub for Robotics
The RobotHub is a virtual organisation of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences that highlights initiatives on the topic of robotics across departments, coordinates projects and channels enquiries.
Our Topics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cognitive Computing in Life Sciences
- Industry 4.0 / 5.0
- MINDLab: AI in human-robot cooperation
- Neuromorphic Computing
- Optimized and safe robotic solutions
- Robot ecosystems and user-centred technology co-design
- Robotics and Automation
- Service Robotics
- Soft robotics
- System Engineering
- Technologies in healthcare
- User-centred development and application of robotics in the healthcare professions
We develop smart sensors and control algorithms for assistive robots using brain-inspired neuromorphic technology: e.g. event-based vision systems, taktile sensors and robotic controllers. This technology will enable fast real-time perception, cognition, motion planning, and control, required for safe and effective robotic manipulation in human vicinity.
Our collaboration partners in the context of robotics: Neuromorphic Computing Lab at Intel I EURA Robotics I ECSPECD I Prophesee I INIVation I SynSense
Contact: yulia.sandamirskaya@zhaw.ch
We want to facilitate the collaboration of different perspectives in the service robot development, ensuring the effectivity and quality of robot service provisions together and for humans and suitable human-technology interfaces.
Our collaborator partners in the context of robotics: Healthcare organisations (i.e. hospitals, care homes) I Associations I Interest groups
Contact: nicole.gerber@zhaw.ch
We are the contact point for technologies in healthcare. ZHAW GEKONT pools the competences available at the ZHAW that are necessary for the benefit-oriented development, implementation and application of healthcare technologies.
Our collaboration partners in the context of robotics: Digital health center bülach I Healthcare organisations I Associations I Public authorities
Contact: gekont@zhaw.ch
Within the research area Autonomous Learning Systems at the ZHAW Centre for AI (CAI), the design and development of intelligent systems is investigated that have a feedback loop between perception (processing of incoming sensor data) and action (execution of actions that have an influence on the environment to be perceived). An important methodology for this is deep learning, in particular reinforcement learning, which enables agents to learn by trial and error. This reward-based learning will open up completely new areas of application that go beyond the usual learning by means of hand-selected input-output pairs – in almost every sector, for example in industry and in the field of neurotechnologies. Linking such systems with hardware that has suitable sensors and actuators creates additional training potential for the algorithms of autonomous systems through physical interaction (embodied AI or physical AI, for example through machine learning on and for robots).
Physical AI and the research field of autonomous learning systems play a role in the work of the following research groups at the CAI: Industrial AI by Prof Alisa Rupenyan, Machine Perception and Cognition by Prof Thilo Stadelmann, and Cybernetic Learning Systems (currently vacant). Here, research and development is carried out on issues raised by practice partners and in collaboration with the drone and robotics community in the Zurich area: From the safe and efficient testing of drones and autonomous vehicles in Dübendorf to the creation of methods for the safe and robust control of industrial plants, frameworks and algorithms for human-machine collaboration for the operation of critical infrastructure, object recognition for walking machines or large language models on humanoid robots.
Our collaboration partners in the context of robotics: Flatland I LINA I Matternet I Mindfire I NCCR Automation I SBB I Skyguide I Stiftung Rieter I Zurich UAS Racing
Contact: Thilo Stadelmann, Alisa Rupenyan-Vasileva
The Department of Health combines expertise from various aspects of health (occupational therapy, midwifery, nursing, physiotherapy, public health) in teaching and research. Various experts at the department cooperate in the development, implementation, application and teaching of robotic aids, be it assistance robots, social robots or therapy robotics. The focus here is on the user-centred approach so that there is a real benefit for those affected and healthcare professionals.
Our collaboration partners: Hocoma AG I Myoswiss AG I TA-Swiss Stiftung für Technologiefolgen-Abschätzung I VAMED Management und Service Schweiz AG
Contact: Institute of Occupational Therapy I Institute of Nursing I Institute of Physiotherapy
We solve complex problems in applied research projects as an interdisciplinary team at the Institute of Applied Mathematics and Physics (IAMP), collaborating with partners from industry, science, and politics. Our expertise spans research, consulting, services, and education and training, with a particular focus on modeling, quantitative simulation, design, and analysis of complex physical and socio-technical systems. Robotics applications are explored from diverse perspectives across our various labs.
Applied Complex Systems Science
We explore complex socio-technical systems using a variety of mathematical and physical tools with a focus on statistical mechanics, artificial intelligence, bio-inspired and evolutionary engineering. In robotics, we develop innovative solutions such as soft, elastic robots that are lightweight, robust and safer for human interaction, particularly in medical and rehabilitation contexts. By combining physical modelling with AI, we develop algorithms to improve the performance and adaptability of robots.
Safety-Critical Systems Research Lab
We specialize in the development, implementation and verification of complex socio-technical systems for safety-critical applications, with robotics and artificial intelligence at the core of our expertise. We combine advanced technologies with thorough verification processes to ensure that our innovative systems meet the required technical specifications, guarantee user safety and comply with all relevant regulatory requirements for market approval.
Scientific Computing and Algorithmics Lab
We develop customized solutions for complex and computationally intensive problems ranging from nonlinear optimal control, trajectory planning, multi sensor fusion, simulation and optimization of sensors to more general machine learning applications.
Besides refined mathematical/physical modeling we put special emphasis on developing robust, efficient and ready to use implementations of our solutions.
Partners: Zurich Soft Robotics GmbH I Varian Medical Systems Imaging Laboratory GmbH I Haute école de travail social et de la santé I dynamic devices AG / ddrobotec I Zurich UAS Racing
Contact: info@iamp.ch
As a leading national institution for applied science and development in robotics & mechatronics, the Institute of Mechatronic Systems (IMS) specialises in innovative projects at the interface between mechanics, electronics and information technology (IT). The knowhow of more than 60 staff with backgrounds in various related fields, as well as a modern research infrastructure, allows us to be your flexible and efficient partner for the successful completion of your R&D projects.
In the robotics context we have the following labs:
Current activities
- Community events regarding robotics in care homes
- RobotCare Establishment of an international network for stakeholders in care homes: Contact us
- DIZH Fellowship «Neuromorphic technology for embodied AI»
- Collaboration with WAIYS: «Emerging AI and computing technologies»
- DIZH Founder Call «YuRo: Real-Time 3D vision for robots»
- SNF Practice to Science «Brain-inspired vision technologies for assistive robots»
Retrospect
- 4.2.2025 Visit of WIRED JAPAN
- 20./21.2.2025 International Humanoid Forum
- 21./22.11.2024 open-i 2024 - The Swiss Innovation Platform
- 15.11.2024 Presentation of Unitree G1 «Roboter-Premiere in Winterthur»
- 1.11.2024 Swiss Robotics Day 2024, Bern (exhibitors)
- 2.9.2024 Workshop at the Digital Health Lab Day 2024 «Co-design of Service Robots in Healthcare: Multiple perspectives and stakeholders» in Winterthur; TRANSFER magazine article
Projects
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Supervised Human-Interactive Embodied Learning and Development (SHIELD)
This project aims to sensibly improve the safety and success rate for long-horizon tasks of autonomous robots leveraging GenAI “robotic brains” (e.g. LLMs, VLMs) in unstructured environments.
ongoing, 06/2025 - 05/2026
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RobotCare – User experience in development of service robots for elderly care
Objectives of the project: Establish a systematic dialogue between the technology developers and researchers and the elderly/healthcare institution stakeholders (including medical, care, and service personnel, management, patients, and their families) in both regions and develop a suitable…
ongoing, 09/2024 - 08/2025
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Needs-based social assistance robots for people with dementia
Background: Social assistance robots (SAR) are increasingly being used in care homes, but the specific needs/requirements for their use in dementia care are unclear. A literature review, focus group interviews and a future workshop are used to gain insights for further development. Aims…
ongoing, 06/2024 - 07/2025
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Neuromorphic Technology for Embodied AI
Automation in dynamic environments - in agriculture, healthcare, or small-scale production - is limited. Rigid industrial robots fail in these complex environments. The key towards more flexible, adaptive, and safe automation is better perception. Robots need to assess their environment visually…
ongoing, 03/2024 - 02/2026
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SmartSenseAI
SmartSenseAI develops a robust, extremely low-cost, customizable, flexible multi-purpose skin for cobots, enhanced by cognitive information processing. This will significantly increase safety in physical human-robot collaboration (pHRC) and enable proactive, intuitive and reactive interaction.…
ongoing, 10/2023 - 09/2026
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Emerging AI and computing technologies (Oasis)
In the Oasis project, we demonstrate how neuromorphic technology -- Intel's research chip Loihi 2’s -- can be used for assistive humanoid robot used in a smart city environment. Neuromorphic hardware and software support development of applications featuring low-latency real-time sensory processing…
completed, 10/2023 - 09/2024
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New sensor and actuator technologies for robots
Development of mathematical-technical concepts for novel robot sensors and actuators, particularly using smart materials and "optimal morphology", enabling e.g. more efficient control, reduced energy consumption, or safer direct interaction with humans. Examples include approaches from the area of…
completed, 07/2015 - 12/2017
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Robo-Mate – Intelligent exoskeleton based on human-robot interaction for manipulation of heavy goods in Europe’s factories of the future
Human-Machine Cooperation Paves the Way for Smart Factories of the Future Various manual work tasks necessary to industrial manufacturing processes are difficult to automate – even today - due to their complexity. This is particularly the case in assembling and dismantling operations, such as those…
completed, 09/2013 - 11/2016
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Control framework for continuum robots (CASCADE)
CASCADE is an EU-funded project in which a unified control framework for continuum robots that can operate in complex and deformable environments (specifically in the cardiovascular system) is developed. Recent efforts in robotics and automation research have fostered the development of a wide…
completed, 02/2013 - 01/2016
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Robotics and autonomous devices in social and health care
Background :Demographic developments, shortage of skilled personnel and growing economic pressure in the health sector lead to an increased focus on technical solutions in the field of medical care and treatment of people. So far, robots are mainly technology-driven and still in the development and…
completed, 05/2011 - 12/2012
Publications
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Mohammadi Amin, Fatemeh; Rezayati, Maryam; van de Venn, Hans Wernher; Karimpour, Hossein,
2020.
A mixed-perception approach for safe human–robot collaboration in industrial automation.
Sensors.
20(21), pp. 6347.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/s20216347
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2019.
Artificial Intelligence on the flight deck : do RoboPilots dream of electric sheep?.
In:
Zürich meets Seoul: «Human Machine Interaction and Artificial Intelligence in Safety Critical Environments», Seoul, South Korea, 2 October 2019.
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Di Natali, Christian; Poliero, Tommaso; Sposito, Matteo; Graf, Eveline; Bauer, Christoph; Pauli, Carole; Bottenberg, Eliza; De Eyto, Adam; O’Sullivan, Leonard; Hidalgo, Andrés F.; Scherly, Daniel; Stadler, Konrad S.; Caldwell, Darwin G.; Ortiz, Jesús,
2019.
Design and evaluation of a soft assistive lower limb exoskeleton.
Robotica.
37(12), pp. 2014-2034.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0263574719000067
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2018.
Roboter als Therapeuten der Zukunft.
IT for Health.
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Poliero, Tommaso; Di Natali, Christian; Sposito, Matteo; Ortiz, Jesus; Graf, Eveline; Pauli, Carole; Bottenberg, Eliza; De Eyto, Adam; Caldwell, Darwin G.,
2018.
In:
2018 IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft) : 24-28 April 2018.
IEEE RAS International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft 2018), Livorno, Italy, 24-28 April 2018.
IEEE.
pp. 559-564.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1109/ROBOSOFT.2018.8405385