Robotics Systems Lab

The Robotic Systems Lab at ETH Zurich focuses on investigating machine development and intelligence enabling robots to operate autonomously in rough, challenging environments. The lab specializes in robots with legs and arms, concentrating on advanced actuation methods for dynamic interaction, innovative mechanical designs to enhance mobility and versatility, and cutting-edge control and optimization algorithms for locomotion and manipulation. Inspired by biological models such as humans and animals, the lab strives to improve the autonomy and capabilities of complex robotic systems, aiming to make them applicable to diverse real-world scenarios like inspection, field robotics, and industrial applications.

The lab primarily focuses on research platforms rather than commercial products, but key robotic platforms developed or involved in include:

• Quadrupedal Mobile Manipulators: Mobile robots combining legged locomotion with manipulation capacities to achieve dynamic, contact-rich tasks.
• Legged Robots with Novel Actuators: Robots designed to test innovative actuation to improve agility and interaction with the environment.

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• Autonomous locomotion on rough, unstructured terrain, including stairs and irregular surfaces.
• Advanced dynamic interaction through novel actuation enabling robots to adapt and manipulate complex objects.
• Integration of reinforcement learning and advanced control algorithms for robust manipulation and locomotion.
• Enhanced mobility and versatility inspired by biological systems to improve robot autonomy in diverse environments.
• Multi-modal perception and navigation systems for complex tasks.

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As a university-affiliated research lab, RSL operates on government and institutional research grants rather than commercial revenue. It is well-funded through academic channels and collaborates widely across industry and academia. Its work contributes significantly to the advancement of robotics science, influencing various startups and commercial spinoffs in legged robotics. The lab's innovations and publications place it among the global leaders in autonomous, legged robotic systems.