Robert Baines

Dr. Robert Baines holds the Professorship for Robotic Systems at ETH Zürich, leading research in adaptive morphogenetic robots, soft robotics, and amphibious robotic systems. His work emphasizes material science integration, reconfigurable mechanisms, and environmental adaptability. Key research areas include morphing limb design, tensegrity robots, and reproducible soft robotics methodologies.

His research focuses on developing robots capable of evolving on demand through modular architecture and self-reconfiguration, with applications in multi-environment navigation. He has pioneered studies on inflatable actuators, tensile jamming fibers, and bio-inspired designs for amphibious locomotion. Baines also advocates for standardized testing protocols in soft robotics to ensure reproducibility and cross-laboratory collaboration.

Notable contributions include the RoboWrangler rope-based grasping system and the amphibious robotic turtle demonstrating aquatic-to-terrestrial transitions. His work bridges mechanical engineering, materials science, and artificial intelligence to create robust, context-aware robotic systems.

Current projects explore variable stiffness mechanisms, multi-modal sensing, and energy-efficient morphing systems. Baines collaborates with industry partners to translate theoretical advancements into deployable robotic solutions for challenging environments.