NCCR Robotics
2010 series
Home institution: EPFL, ETH Zurich (since 2015)
The National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) "Robotics – Intelligent Robots for Improving the Quality of Life" encompasses a promising field of engineering which aims at developing new, human-oriented robotic technology.
In the near future, intelligent robots will play an important role in improving quality of life. For example, "care robots" will help elderly people to stay in their familiar surroundings longer; “neuroprosthetic” and "exoprosthetic" robots will increase the mobility and autonomy of disabled person; “educational robots” will support the training of a new generation of scientists and engineers; "environmental robots" will keep our world cleaner and safer. In order to progress towards this vision, the NCCR "Robotics" is working towards developing fundamental insights in terms of technology, materials, and control mechanisms.
Further information on the NCCR:
Contact details
NCCR Management
NCCR Director
Prof. Dario Floreano
Laboratory of Intelligent Systems
EPF Lausanne
Bâtiment ELE, Station 11
CH-1015 Lausanne
Phone: +41 (0) 21 693 52 30
Email: dario.floreano@epfl.chCo-Director
Prof. Robert Riener
ETH Zürich
Institut für Robotik und Intelligente Systeme
TAN E 4
Tannenstrasse 1
CH-8092 Zürich
Phone: +41 (0) 44 632 66 79
Email: robert.riener@hest.ethz.chManagement / Coordination
Tristan Piguet
EPFL-STI-PRN-ROBOTICS
MED 1 1526, Station 9
CH-1015 Lausanne
Phone: +41 (0) 21 693 46 34
Email: tristan.piguet@epfl.ch / nccr-robotics@epfl.chFunding
NCCRs are financed through grants awarded by the SNSF, but also from other sources. The home institutions involved in the NCCR also contribute a substantial amount of money. The available overall budget of the NCCR is further increased by monetary contributions from the project participants and third-party funds, which are generally invested by industrial companies.
The SNSF is financing the NCCR Robotics in its third funding period.
Financing 2010 – 2021 (Swiss francs)
Funding source
2010-2013
2014-2017
2018-2021
Funding source
2010 – 2013
2014 – 2017
2018 - 2021
SNSF grant*
13’300’000
15’295’000
11'150'000
Funds of EPFL*
6’900’000
6’727’000
6'350'000
Funds of ETH Zurich*
From 2nd phase
4‘600‘000
1'800'000
Group funds of the project participants
10‘387‘838
5'055'707
3'366'971
External funds
115‘360
0
0
* contractually agreed funding
Evaluation / Review Panel
For each NCCR, the SNSF appoints a Review Panel composed of renowned experts whose task it is to evaluate scientific quality and the progress made in NCCR projects. The Review Panel of the NCCR Robotics consists of the following experts:
Contact person at the SNSF:
Dr. Stefan Bachmann
NCCR Team
Swiss National Science Foundation
Wildhainweg 3
CH-3001 Berne
Phone: +41 (0) 31 308 23 49
Email: stefan.bachmann@snf.chResearch structures
National Centres of Competence in Research leave their mark on the research landscape well beyond the SNSF funding period. They help to define key topics and sustainably change Swiss research structures. Thus NCCRs can lead to the creation of new professorships and courses of study as well as new infrastructures or platforms at the universities involved.
NCCRs operate as a network in which a large number of scientific partners are active. Working within these networks has borne fruit in the form of new research approaches and excellent scientific contributions.
Contributions to society and the economy
The National Centres of Competence in Research not only engage in cutting-edge research, they also play an important role in transferring knowledge and new technologies to the economy and to society at large. They lead to the formation of start-ups, and the new insights have the potential to awaken the interest of politicians, globally active companies and the public at large.
Communication and knowledge transfer of the NCCR Robotics:
Promotion of academic careers and equal opportunities
The National Centres of Competence in Research consciously promote promising young researchers and are committed to equal opportunities for men and women in research.
Measures taken by the NCCR Robotics to promote young researchers and gender equality.