PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Roland Siegwart

As of October 2026, Roland Siegwart leads the Autonomous Systems Lab at ETH Zurich, a group that builds intelligent robots able to operate autonomously in complex and diverse environments. He earned mechanical engineering degrees at ETH Zurich in 1983 and 1989, and he became a full professor there in 2006 after an EPFL professorship. In 2018 he co-founded the ETH spin-off Sevensense Robotics, a company that develops technologies for autonomous navigation. The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society named him the 2026 recipient of its Robotics and Automation Award for robot design and autonomous navigation in unstructured environments. For service robots, he points to foundation models as the way forward.

Timeline

  1. 1959–1989

    Mechanical engineering at ETH Zurich

    Born in Switzerland in 1959, he earns a mechanical engineering diploma at ETH Zurich in 1983 and a doctorate there in 1989.

  2. 1991–1996

    Lecturer at the Institute of Robotics

    From 1991 to 1996 he works as a lecturer and deputy head at ETH Zurich's Institute of Robotics.

  3. 1996–2006

    Professor at EPFL, then ETH

    In 1996 he is appointed professor at EPFL in Lausanne, and in July 2006 he becomes a full professor at ETH Zurich.

  4. 2010–2014

    Vice president for research at ETH

    From January 2010 to December 2014 he serves as vice president for research and corporate relations on ETH Zurich's executive board.

  5. 2014

    The Inaba Technical Award

    In 2014 the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society honors him with its Inaba Technical Award for contributions to innovation and entrepreneurship.

  6. 2016–2018

    Wyss Zurich and Sevensense Robotics

    From 2016 he co-directs Wyss Zurich, a joint accelerator of ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. In 2018 he co-founds the ETH spin-off Sevensense Robotics, which develops technologies for autonomous navigation.

  7. 2026

    IEEE Robotics and Automation Award

    In 2026 he receives the IEEE Robotics and Automation Award for substantial contributions to robot design and autonomous navigation in unstructured environments.

  8. As of October 2026

    Head of the Autonomous Systems Lab

    He leads the Autonomous Systems Lab at ETH Zurich, which aims to build intelligent robots able to operate autonomously in complex and diverse environments. For service robots, he points to foundation models as the way forward.

Sources and credits

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  1. Oral-History:Roland Siegwart - Engineering and Technology History Wiki ethw.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  2. Roland Siegwart - Robohub, Connecting the robotics community to the world robohub.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  3. Congratulations to the 2014 RAS Award Recipients! - IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Website ieee-ras.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  4. From Machines to Willing Helpers: Switzerland Leads the Robotics Era top100startups.swiss. Checked 14 October 2026.
  5. Sevensense co-founder praises robotics scene in Switzerland greaterzuricharea.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  6. Celebrating Excellence: 2026 IEEE Technical Field Award Winners - IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Website ieee-ras.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  7. Homepage – Autonomous Systems Lab | ETH Zurich asl.ethz.ch. Checked 14 October 2026.