EPFL
EPFL is a leading Swiss research university renowned for its extensive robotics research through multiple specialized laboratories, focusing on areas such as biorobotics, reconfigurable robotics, aerial robotics, and soft robotics. These labs develop innovative technologies including legged robots, exoskeletons, humanoid robots, and bio-inspired systems for applications in rehabilitation, locomotion control, and human-robot interaction. The mission emphasizes advancing computational neuroscience, machine learning, and biomechanics to create agile robots inspired by animal movement.
💡Notable Achievement: EPFL hosts 24 robotics laboratories with diverse expertise in core robotics and affiliated fields, driving breakthroughs like untethered origami robots and spin-offs such as Foldaway Haptics, whose tiny robots were featured on a Mercedes-Benz concept car at CES.
🔍Data Verification: Manufacturer data verified and sourced directly from official channels.
EPFL Robots
Showing 4 models
Bimodal Crawling Hand
By: EPFL
Launched: 2026
The Bimodal Crawling Hand from EPFL is a reversible, detachable robotic end-effector with symmetrical architecture supporting up to six identical silicone-tipped fingers. It performs 33 human-like grasping motions, allows any fingers to form opposable thumb pairs, and interchanges palm/back via finger reversal. It detaches from the arm to crawl spider-like, enabling loco-manipulation to grasp/carry objects beyond arm reach, even while holding multiple items on palm or back.
Cuddle‑Fish Robot
By: EPFL
Launched: 2025
The Cuddle-Fish Robot is a soft, lighter-than-air flapping-wing floating robot designed for safe, close-proximity human-robot interactions in indoor environments. Inspired by animal movement, it uses a helium-filled soft body and low-frequency flapping wings for propulsion, eliminating risks from propellers, rigid structures, or noise associated with traditional drones. This companion/social robot elicits spontaneous affective behaviors like patting, stroking, hugging, and cheek-touching, fostering positive emotional responses. Key features include touch-safe design, quiet operation, and organic visual presence, making it ideal for therapeutic settings, companionship for isolated individuals, play, and interactive experiences in homes or apartments where conventional flying robots are unsafe.
Pleurobot
By: EPFL
Launched: 2016
Pleurobot is a bio-inspired amphibious robot developed by EPFL's Biorobotics Laboratory to mimic the locomotion of the salamander Pleurodeles waltl, aiding research in vertebrate motion, spinal cord control, and robotics for search and rescue. Featuring 27 motors, 11 spinal segments, 29 joints (including 2 passive in tail), and 3D-printed bones, it replicates walking, crawling, forward/backward/lateral terrestrial movement, turning via spine bending, surface swimming, and slope traversal up to 30 degrees. Used for studying central pattern generators (CPGs), reflexes like leg extension and stumble correction, and multimodal locomotion; potential applications in disaster response terrain navigation and neurorehabilitation insights for paraplegics
AmphiBot (Robot Snake)
By: EPFL
Launched: 2005
AmphiBot is a biologically inspired amphibious snake-like robot developed at EPFL's Biorobotics Laboratory for outdoor robotics tasks, drawing from snakes and elongate fishes like lampreys or eels. It crawls on land and swims in water using undulatory locomotion controlled by central pattern generators (CPGs) to test adaptive controllers and study animal neural networks. Key features include modular segments with DC motors, improved waterproofing, wireless communication, and onboard CPGs. Use cases involve environmental monitoring like pollution detection in lakes (AmphiBot IV), amphibious exploration, and as testbed for locomotion research; latest Amphibot III achieves human-like swimming speeds.
Latest News & Updates
Recent articles and news about EPFL
Frequently Asked Questions
Expert answers about EPFL
Q:What robot models does EPFL make?
A: EPFL manufactures 4 robot models, including Bimodal Crawling Hand, Cuddle‑Fish Robot, Pleurobot. All models are designed with cutting-edge robotics technology.
Q:Where is EPFL based?
A: EPFL is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Q:What types of robots does EPFL make?
A: EPFL specializes in Research, Education, Bioengineering robotics solutions.
Q:Where does EPFL ship?
A: EPFL serves customers in Europe, Switzerland.
Q:What's the latest robot from EPFL?
A: The latest robot from EPFL is Bimodal Crawling Hand, launched in 2026.
Q:How do I contact EPFL?
A: Visit EPFL's official website at https://www.epfl.ch/research/domains/robotics/.
Q:What technology does EPFL use?
A: EPFL utilizes Biorobotics, Soft Robotics, Aerial Robotics, Reconfigurable Robots, Exoskeletons in their robotics platforms.
Q:Does EPFL ship internationally?
A: EPFL serves markets in Rehabilitation, Biomedical, Autonomous Systems, Wearable Technology. Contact them directly for shipping details.
Q:How many employees does EPFL have?
A: EPFL is an established robotics company.
Q:What makes EPFL unique?
A: EPFL hosts 24 robotics laboratories with diverse expertise in core robotics and affiliated fields, driving breakthroughs like untethered origami robots and spin-offs such as Foldaway Haptics, whose tiny robots were featured on a Mercedes-Benz concept car at CES.
💡Expert Info: Compiled from verified manufacturer data and official sources. Data verified directly from official channels. For current specs, contact EPFL directly.