Emilio Frazzoli

Emilio Frazzoli is a researcher whose work includes optimal motion-planning algorithms and driverless taxi systems. He earned a Laurea in aerospace engineering from the University of Rome, Sapienza, in 1994 and a PhD in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT in 2001, then held faculty positions at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and the University of California, Los Angeles, before returning to MIT in 2006. At MIT, he joined the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge team, published optimal sampling-based planning research with Sertac Karaman, and co-founded nuTonomy in 2013 to develop driverless taxi systems. He joined ETH Zurich in October 2016, became an IEEE Fellow in 2019, and is a full professor there in autumn 2026, teaching autonomous robotics and control systems.

Now at: ETH Zurich
Born: 1970
Works: 604
Citations: 33,393
h-index: 76
Badges: Founder
Bridge
Wayfarer
Loyal

Years link to their sources. Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 22 October 2026.

Timeline

1994–2001

Aerospace engineering degrees

He earns a Laurea in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Rome, Sapienza, in 1994 and a PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT in 2001.
By 2007

MIT's Urban Challenge team

Before returning to MIT in 2006, he holds faculty positions at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and the University of California, Los Angeles. In 2007, MIT names him an associate professor in Aeronautics and Astronautics and a key leader on its DARPA Urban Challenge team.
2010

Optimal motion-planning algorithms

In 2010, he and Sertac Karaman publish “Incremental Sampling-based Algorithms for Optimal Motion Planning,” describing provably asymptotically optimal PRM and RRT path-planning algorithms.
2013–2017

Co-founding nuTonomy

In 2013, he and Karl Iagnemma launch nuTonomy as an autonomous-car consulting service. Its research-based software uses fleet-management algorithms for driverless taxis in Singapore, and its cars pass a driving test on a custom obstacle course in 2016. In October 2017, the company announces its acquisition by Delphi Automotive.
2015–2019

IEEE awards and fellowship

In 2015, he receives the IEEE George S. Axelby Award, and in 2017 he receives the IEEE Kiyo Tomiyasu Award. IEEE names him a Fellow in 2019.
October 2016

Professor at ETH Zurich

In October 2016, he becomes Professor of Dynamic Systems and Control at ETH Zurich. He conducts research into the cities of the future on behalf of ETH Zurich's Future Cities Laboratory.
2022

RSS Test of Time Award

In 2022, Robotics: Science and Systems gives its Test of Time Award to the optimal motion-planning paper he coauthors with Sertac Karaman.
As of October 2026

Full professor at ETH Zurich

In autumn 2026, he is a full professor of Dynamic Systems and Control at ETH Zurich's Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. He teaches Planning and Decision Making for Autonomous Robots and Control Systems I.