They, robots

Photographic Exhibition

«They, Robots» is a photo exhibit that celebrates the legacy of NCCR Robotics, and its 12 years of research and innovation on wearable, rescue and educational robots. The pictures show how robots are becoming part of our world and our life: not as competitors, but as companions and collaborators that work side by side with humans, simplifying their lives and accompanying them in daily activities. The images portray robots developed in Switzerland by researchers and start-ups supported by NCCR Robotics.

The PackDrone by Dronistics can be used for the safe delivery of parcels, thanks to a protective cage that surrounds the propellers, shielding them from collisions and at the same time protecting the user’s fingers. Once folded, the drone occupies 10-times less volume.

Dronistics, EPFL, Lausanne. — The PackDrone by Dronistics can be used for the safe delivery of parcels, thanks to a protective cage that surrounds the propellers, shielding them from collisions and at the same time protecting the user’s fingers. Once folded, the drone occupies 10-times less volume. Dronistics, EPFL, Lausanne.

This tracked robot can support the work of fire-fighters during a fire. Pulsed Power Systems AG, Wallbach.

The Pleurobot, here seen at the Zoology Museum in Lausanne, was developed starting from the fossil remains of an ancient reptile. The robot has allowed to study how that ancient anymal walked and crawles, millions of years ago. BioRobotics Laboratory, EPFL, Lausanne.

A young researcherinteracts with a drone that is capable of avoiding obstacles, humans included, in a totally autonomous way.

Robotics and Perception Group, University of Zurich — A young researcherinteracts with a drone that is capable of avoiding obstacles, humans included, in a totally autonomous way. Robotics and Perception Group, University of Zurich

A virtual reality system is used to simulate the experience of having a third, robotic arm in addition to the natural ones, and to test interfaces and algorithms that would allow to control it in a natural way. Such a third arm could, for example, be used by surgeons during complex procedures.

Translational Neural Engineering Lab, EPFL, Geneva — A virtual reality system is used to simulate the experience of having a third, robotic arm in addition to the natural ones, and to test interfaces and algorithms that would allow to control it in a natural way. Such a third arm could, for example, be used by surgeons during complex procedures. Translational Neural Engineering Lab, EPFL, Geneva

This electroadhesive gripper can grasp very fragile objects without damaging them. It could be applying to the food industry or to the textile sector for manipulating fabrics.

Soft Tranducers Lab, EPFL, Lausanne. — This electroadhesive gripper can grasp very fragile objects without damaging them. It could be applying to the food industry or to the textile sector for manipulating fabrics. Soft Tranducers Lab, EPFL, Lausanne.

ANYexo is an exoskeleton for the upper limbs. This experimental platform was designed to validate new algoriths and concepts that would allow more autonomy during therapy for patients with moderate and severe neuronal deficiency.

Sensory-motor systems lab, ETH Zurich. — ANYexo is an exoskeleton for the upper limbs. This experimental platform was designed to validate new algoriths and concepts that would allow more autonomy during therapy for patients with moderate and severe neuronal deficiency. Sensory-motor systems lab, ETH Zurich.

The Myoshirt provides additional strength to the arms.

Sensory-motor systems lab, ETH Zurich. — The Myoshirt provides additional strength to the arms. Sensory-motor systems lab, ETH Zurich.

The Cellulo project can be sees as the educational tool of the future. It is a modular and versatle robot, very simple and affordable, that can be used stand-alone or with other robots. During training, Cellulo can make intangible things - from physical forces to geographical borders - tangible.

Computer-Human Interaction in Learning and Instruction Lab, EPFL. — The Cellulo project can be sees as the educational tool of the future. It is a modular and versatle robot, very simple and affordable, that can be used stand-alone or with other robots. During training, Cellulo can make intangible things - from physical forces to geographical borders - tangible. Computer-Human Interaction in Learning and Instruction Lab, EPFL.

Krock-2 is a quaruped robot optimized for search and rescue missions. It can walk, crawl and swim, overcome obstacles and go through narrow
passages. It is also modular, which means that its parts can be easily replaced during a mission.

BioRobotics Laboratory, EPFL — Krock-2 is a quaruped robot optimized for search and rescue missions. It can walk, crawl and swim, overcome obstacles and go through narrow passages. It is also modular, which means that its parts can be easily replaced during a mission. BioRobotics Laboratory, EPFL

Tenoexo helps patients who suffer from reduced hand mobility to perform grasping tasks during everyday activities.

Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, ETH Zurich. — Tenoexo helps patients who suffer from reduced hand mobility to perform grasping tasks during everyday activities. Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, ETH Zurich.

A highly compact and lightweight hand exoskeleton. Stroke, spinal cord injury and muscular atrophy are just few examples of diseases leading to persistent hand impairment. Wearable robotic devices can support the use of the impaired limb in activities of daily living, and provide at-home rehabilitation training.

Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, ETH Zurich. — A highly compact and lightweight hand exoskeleton. Stroke, spinal cord injury and muscular atrophy are just few examples of diseases leading to persistent hand impairment. Wearable robotic devices can support the use of the impaired limb in activities of daily living, and provide at-home rehabilitation training. Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, ETH Zurich.

Drones with manipulation capabilities can be used to deliver items directly to the user, as well as to perform operations while flying, for example during construction works or maintainance of infrastrcutures.

Autonomous Systems Lab, ETH Zurich. — Drones with manipulation capabilities can be used to deliver items directly to the user, as well as to perform operations while flying, for example during construction works or maintainance of infrastrcutures. Autonomous Systems Lab, ETH Zurich.

About the photographer

Matthieu Gafsou (CH, F, 1981) lives and works in Lausanne, Switzerland. After completing a master of arts in philosophy, literature and cinema, he studied photography at the School of Applied Arts in Vevey. Since 2006, he has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions, published five monographs and was included in many exhibitions catalogues. In 2009 Gafsou was awarded the prestigious “Prix de la fondation HSBC pour la photographie”.

In 2014, Lausanne’s influential Musée de l’Elysée hosted Gafsou’s solo show titled Only God Can Judge Me. In 2018, the H+ exhibition was one of the highlights of Les Rencontres de la Photographie in Arles and continues to travel all over the world.
In parallel to his artistic practice, Gafsou is on faculty at the University of Art and Design Lausanne (ECAL). He is represented by Galerie C and is a founding member of the MAPS agency.