Robert Riener studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the University of Maryland and received his doctorate from TUM in 1997. After his postdoctoral studies at TUM and the Polytechnic of Milan, Robert Riener habilitated at TUM in 2003. He was subsequently appointed to ETH Zurich, where he was promoted to full professor in 2010. Riener develops therapy and assistance devices for people with restricted mobility. He founded the CYBATHLON to facilitate a social dialogue about inclusion.

As a fellow of the Thomas Mann House, Robert Riener looks at current technological trends in the field of AI and robotics and their potential positive and negative effects on individuals with or without disabilities and on society as a whole. His project is to foster a dialogue about the appropriate use of new technologies in our society.


Selected Awards

2019 | QS Reimagine Best University-Employer Partnership Award and QS Reimagine Global Education Award for CYBATHLON
2018 | Honorary doctorate from the University of Basel
2017 | European Excellence Award in the Event & Experiential Marketing category for CYBATHLON


Selected Publications

2023 | with L. Rabezzana and Y. Zimmermann: “Do Robots Outperform Humans in Human-Centered Domains?” Frontiers in Robotics and AI 10, 1–24.
2022 | with A. M. Georgarakis, M. Xiloyannis, and P. Wolf: “A textile exomuscle that assists the shoulder during functional movements for everyday life,“ Nature Machine Intelligence 4, 1–9.
2016 | ”The Cybathlon promotes the development of assistive technology for people with physical disabilities,” Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 13, 49.