EPFL Robotics News

Daniel, Julie and Nuno's lives dramatically improved thanks to the implant developed by Jocelyne Bloch and Grégoire Courtine. @CHUV - Gilles Weber

New implant restores pressure balance after spinal cord injury

— Most patients with a spinal cord injury suffer from debilitating pressure drops or dangerous pressure peaks. In a series of breakthroughs published simultaneously in Nature and Nature Medicine, neuroscientists and neurosurgeons from Switzerland, the Netherlands and Canada introduce a groundbreaking neurotechnological solution.

© Martina Gini controls a simplified robotic arm with breathing. © EPFL / Alain Herzog - CC-BY-SA 4.0

High-tech “replacement parts” offer hope to millions

— From robotic hands and arms to soft heart pumps, biomaterials, 3D-printed muscles and more, rapid advancements in robotics and biotechnology are giving rise to new techniques for repairing the human body.

Robotician Mohamed Bouri with TWIICE exoskeleton - 2024 EPFL / Alain Herzog - CC-BY-SA 4.0

Technology that makes us stronger

— When we’re healthy, activities like walking, sitting down, speaking and remembering things can be done with ease. But if an accident or illness impairs our physical or cognitive capabilities, such everyday tasks can become difficult or even impossible. Researchers are working to develop systems that can help patients regain lost physical abilities.

Jonathan Muheim and Massimo Munzi © TNE/EPFL

Amputee and researcher go prosthetic hand in hand towards progress

— The human determinants of research are key for making progress, as championed by amputee Massimo Munzi who is helping improve prosthetics, as well as EPFL’s neuroprosthetic researcher Jonathan Muheim.

In 2018, David Mzee was able to walk thanks to precise electrical stimulation of his spinal cord via a wireless implant. © EPFL/Jamani Caillet - CC-BY-SA 4.0

Interfacing the nervous system for rehabilitation

— Memory loss, tremors, paralysis: when parts of the nervous system start to break down – or get broken – the consequences for human health can be staggering. Can we fix the nervous system, and how are scientists approaching the problem? We take a deep dive into various strategies for interfacing with the nervous system to restore neuronal function.

© 2025 EPFL

Studying collective bee behavior thanks to robotics

— EPFL researchers are developing robotic beehive frames that help locate honey stores inside of beehives over time, without relying on cameras. The aim is to develop new observation tools to study honeybee behavior that better fit the bees’ natural way to occupy space compared to current methods.

The EleBot. 2025 CREATE EPFL CC BY SA 4.0

Elephant robot demonstrates bioinspired 3D printing technology

— EPFL researchers have pioneered a 3D-printable, programmable lattice structure for robotics that mimics the vast diversity of biological tissues – from a flexible trunk to rigid bone – using a single foam material.

One possible configuration of the TangiBall. 2025 RRL EPFL CC BY SA 4.0

Soft robot modules for new haptic interactions

— EPFL researchers have developed a customizable soft robotic system that uses compressed air to produce shape changes, vibrations, and other haptic, or tactile, feedback in a variety of configurations. The device holds significant promise for applications in virtual reality, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.

© iStock

When autonomous mobility learns to wonder

— Autonomous mobility already exists
 to some extent. Building an autonomous vehicle that can safely navigate an empty highway is one thing. The real challenge lies in adapting to the dynamic and messy reality of urban environments.

ADAPT robotic hand (Adaptive Dexterous Anthropomorphic Programmable sTiffness). 2025 EPFL/CREATE Lab - CC-BY-SA 4.0

Robotic hand moves objects with human-like grasps

— A robotic hand developed at EPFL can pick up 24 different objects with human-like movements that emerge spontaneously, thanks to compliant materials and structures rather than programming.