Competence Centre for Sustainability Robotics
The Competence Centre for Sustainability Robotics on SIG Areal in Neuhausen am Rheinfall is an international hub for bridging research and real-world industrial application, focusing on innovative robotics and AI technologies at the intersection of materials science and engineering.
Get in touch
Dr. Flavia Trifa
Program Manager at Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)
Robin Sticher
Project Manager at the Economic Developement Agency Canton of Schaffhausen
Research
At the Laboratory of Sustainability Robotics, a joint initiative of Empa and EPFL, Prof. Dr. Mirko Kovac and his team develop novel soft robotic systems. Research thrusts include aerial robotics platform development, soft robotics, material science and digital infrastructure systems.
Technology Transfer
Bring cutting-edge robotics & materials research and expertise into your industrial applications. Partnership options range from project-based collaborations up to strategic partnerships.
Infrastructure
Located at SIG Areal in Neuhausen am Rheinfall and directly connected to the Competence Center, the «Skill Hub» provides workshop and office spaces equipped for hands-on prototyping and product development.
Education
The Competence Center contributes to the next generation of robotics engineers through its course in Sustainability Robotics. Combining theoretical foundations, applied case studies, and project-based learning, the curriculum bridges core robotics principles with real-world challenges.
Fields of application of Sustainability Robotics for natural and built environments.
Industry Partnerships
Light Touch
- Partnerships Competence Centre
- Technology scouting
- Technology foresight
- Exploratory PoCs
- Early access to emerging research
- Join Workshops / demos / reviews
- Executive education in Robotivs and AI
- Networking + visibility
Strategic Partner
In addition to the Light Touch Partnership:
- Co-develop targeted PCoS -> pilot projects
- Access to testbeds (AAA / DroneHub@NEST)
- Influence research roadmap & use-cases
- Preferential access to talent (PhDs / engineers)
- Joinz branding + priority results
- Be part of Chair
Lead Partner
In addition to the strategic partnership:
- Anchor the Chair & long-term program
- Shape strategy, standards, ecosystems (Advisory Board)
- Dedicated talent pipeline + know-how transfer
- Breaktrough demonstrators (high-TRL)
- IP / Licensing pathways + global visibility
There is more
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