Daisy Lachat

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Airbus (Italy)

Papers

Total Citations

261

H-Index

About

Daisy Lachat is a leading figure in bio-inspired robotics, with a career defined by the seamless integration of biological principles into autonomous machine design. Her foundational work centers on the development and control of fish-like robots, where she pioneered the use of Central Pattern Generators (CPGs) to produce complex, adaptive locomotion. Her most influential paper, "Controlling swimming and crawling in a fish robot using a central pattern generator" (2007), has amassed over 181 citations, establishing a core methodology for generating rhythmic, coordinated movements in underwater robots. This work is exemplified by the BoxyBot (2006, 77 citations), a novel robot inspired by the boxfish, which demonstrated the remarkable ability to both swim and crawl using three actuated fins controlled by a CPG. More recently, Lachat has expanded her impact into space robotics, contributing to the ERGO project, a European framework designed to provide autonomous control for space missions. Through her research, Lachat has not only advanced the field of biomimetics but has also laid critical groundwork for autonomous systems operating in the most challenging environments on Earth and beyond.