Ardian Jusufi has been shortlisted in the prestigious Global Call for Breakthrough of the Year at Falling Walls. Ardian’s research discovers how agile animals achieve resilient movement — and how soft robots can serve as animated body models (as a “telescope”) to reveal the mechanical intelligence behind it.
From gecko crash-landings on rainforest tree trunks to scaly-tailed squirrels and soft robotic landers, this work explores how extraordinary capabilities emerge directly from body mechanics, biomaterials, and environmental interaction.
Especially grateful that this recognition highlights a broader vision: using robotics not only to build better machines, but to understand animal movement more ethically, reduce our reliance on invasive laboratory experiments, and support conservation-oriented biomechanics. A wonderful milestone for his ongoing research at our institute.