S. de Rivaz

Papers

Total Citations

237

H-Index

About

Dr. S. de Rivaz is a pioneering roboticist whose work centers on millimeter-scale locomotion and bio-inspired adhesion mechanisms for micro-robots. Their most influential contribution is the development of the first quadrupedal microrobot capable of both inverted and vertical climbing using electroadhesion—a lightweight, power-efficient technique that allows a 1.48-gram, 4.5-centimeter robot to scale smooth surfaces. This breakthrough, published in 2018 and now cited over 237 times, dramatically expands the operational workspace of terrestrial micro-robots, enabling inspection and exploration in confined, previously inaccessible environments. By demonstrating that a sub-2-gram platform can reliably transition between ground and wall walking, de Rivaz solved a fundamental challenge in small-scale robotics: achieving robust adhesion without sacrificing mobility or payload. Their work has become a cornerstone for subsequent research in climbing micro-robots, influencing designs for search-and-rescue, infrastructure monitoring, and biological studies. Beyond this landmark paper, de Rivaz’s contributions to microfabrication and control strategies continue to push the boundaries of what is possible at the insect scale, earning recognition as a leader in the field of miniature robotics.