Soft Kinetics Group · Empa / ETH Zurich / UZH
Agile Soft Robotics through Physical AI
We develop bio-inspired robotic systems that use soft materials, embedded sensing and active structures.
Research Focus
Bodies as Active Participants in Intelligence
Our research investigates how bodies contribute to intelligence. Biological systems use compliant morphology and distributed sensing to stabilize motion by absorbing impact and exploiting contact. We translate these principles into robotic systems that combine dynamical systems, control, and mechanical metamaterials.
Rather than treating the body as passive hardware, we study it as an active part of computation and control — how motor-controlled tuning of soft body mechanics helps robots stabilize, absorb impact, and exploit contact through the coupled dynamics of body, control, and environment.
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Biosketch
Prof. Dr. Ardian Jusufi
Head of Soft Kinetics Group, Engineering Sciences Department
Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)
Institute for NeuroInformatics, University of Zurich
formerly Independent Max Planck Research Group Leader, MPI for Intelligent Systems
Associate Faculty Member, ETH Center for Learning Systems
Hon. Associate Professor, Macquarie University
Empa profile → Soft Kinetics Group → Google Scholar →
We have open positions! Contact: ardian.jusufi@uzh.ch
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Research in Action
Gecko locomotion research narrated audio
Moderating Panel Discussion on "Soft Robotics & AI" with Profs. Oliver Brock, Koh Hosoda, and other leaders. Also chaired a Soft Robotics Symposium at PPS38.
Soft Kinetics Group · Empa / Institute for NeuroInformatics, University of Zurich