Updates from the Soft Kinetic Group — symposia, panels, and lab milestones. Explore the underlying research and publications.
Ardian Jusufi has been selected for the 2026 Falling Walls Global Call shortlist for his project "Breaking the Wall of Reflexes and Preflexes" — research at the interface of biomechanics, robotics, and physical AI showing how animal bodies contribute directly to intelligent movement.
Read more →Ardian Jusufi has been shortlisted in the prestigious Global Call for Breakthrough of the Year at the Falling Walls Science Summit — recognising research on how agile animals achieve resilient movement and how soft robots serve as animated body models.
Read more →Study shows how the scaly tail organ of Pel's flying squirrel enhances static stability during arboreal locomotion across slippery tree surfaces.
Read more →How the unique scaly-tail morphology of Pel's flying squirrel is inspiring the design of next-generation bionic robot drones.
Read more →Prof. Jusufi was interviewed for 'Physics Around the Clock: Adventures in the Science of Everyday Living' by science journalist Michael Banks, discussing bio-inspired robotics.
Read more →Official Swiss Federal news release covering the Soft Kinetic Group's research on how scaly-tail organs enhance stability in arboreal mammals.
Read more →Research on how spike-like scales on the scaly-tailed squirrel's tail provide grip and stability during arboreal locomotion.
Read more →Science magazine reports on new findings showing how Pel's scaly-tailed flying squirrels use a unique keeled-scale organ on the tail underside to grip smooth bark.
Read more →The group chaired the Soft Robotics Symposium at PPS38, attended by Profs. Rob Shepherd, Yong Lae Park, and Caecilia Laschi.
Read more →The Guardian reports on research showing that, contrary to popular belief, the tail plays a limited role in dog agility — challenging assumptions about appendage function in locomotion.
Read more →CNN covers the Soft Kinetic Group's research on how gliding geckos use active tail reflexes to crash-land head-first into tree trunks — inspiring a new class of soft-bodied robots.
Read more →Science magazine covers the discovery that gliding geckos stabilise their crash landings using rapid tail reflexes, with implications for soft robot design.
Read more →IDW (Informationsdienst Wissenschaft) press release covering a soft swimming robot study that yields insights into the locomotion of fish.
Read more →Nature News reports that Jurassic Park's depiction of dinosaurs using their tails for balance was scientifically accurate — supported by new research on tail-assisted pitch control.
Read more →Robotics news site Robaid profiles RightingBot, a bioinspired robot whose mid-air self-righting capability is derived from observations of lizard tail mechanics.
Read more →Science Daily reports on the discovery that lizards use inertial tail rotation to right themselves mid-air during falls, leading to the creation of the bioinspired 'RightingBot'.
Read more →Science Illustrated profiles RightingBot, demonstrating how biomechanical insights from lizard locomotion are translated into a robot capable of controlled mid-air reorientation.
Read more →German physics news outlet covers the research on how lizards use their tails as a long lever to control body rotation during free fall.
Read more →The Los Angeles Times covers research showing how geckos and cockroaches swing under ledges like a pendulum — a manoeuvre now replicated in a robot.
Read more →Coverage of the PLoS ONE paper by Mongeau, McRea, Jusufi et al. demonstrating rapid inversion locomotion in geckos and cockroaches, with robotic implementation.
Read more →The New York Times covers research on how flying snakes generate lift, featured alongside work on other airborne animals that inspire bio-inspired aerial robots.
Read more →MSNBC Cosmic Log reports on how natural fliers — from snakes to geckos — are informing the design of the next generation of bio-inspired flying machines.
Read more →The New York Times Observatory column reports on research showing that geckos use active tail movements to regain balance and prevent falls during rapid locomotion.
Read more →New Scientist video showcasing high-speed footage of geckos using tail rotations to steer and stabilise during arboreal acrobatics — the research that launched the active-tail robotics programme.
Read more →