Aude Billard

Aude Billard is a Full Professor at the Learning Algorithms and Systems Laboratory (LASA) within the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where she leads groundbreaking research in robotics and machine learning. She also holds teaching roles in the Microengineering and Mechanical Engineering Sections and serves as a member of the Conference of Section Directors (CDS) and the STI School Direction.

• PhD in Artificial Intelligence (University of Edinburgh, 1998)
• MSc in Knowledge-Based Systems (University of Edinburgh, 1996)
• BSc & MSc in Physics (EPFL, 1995)

Her research focuses on machine learning techniques for robotics, particularly in dexterous manipulation, dynamical systems, and human-robot interaction. She has pioneered methods for constraint learning from demonstrations, obstacle avoidance in crowded environments, and adaptive control systems, with recent works exploring AI ethics, sustainability in robotics, and improving robotic dexterity beyond human capabilities.

Awarded multiple times for her contributions, including IEEE Fellow, ERC Advanced Grant, and Swiss National Science Foundation Career Award, Billard has also received recognition for teaching and service leadership in robotics societies.

• Scientific Leadership: IEEE Robotics and Automation Society President
• Education Advocacy: Innovative Teaching Grant recipient
• PhD Mentorship: Supervised ~30 PhD students