Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is home to Brubotics, the Brussels Human Robotics Research Center, a consortium of nine research labs uniting over 20 professors and 150 researchers dedicated to sustainable, humanity-centered robotics. They are affiliated with imec. Brubotics is one of the few truly interdisciplinary robotics centers in Europe, combining expertise in robotics, AI, rehabilitation and movement sciences, and eHealth to develop technologies that improve health outcomes and drive sustainable practices across industry and healthcare. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and close cooperation with industry, founding spinoffs, VUB-Brubotics develops innovative technologies that address major societal, ecological and economic challenges.
The RESSORT Consortium
Complementary Expertise across the Soft Robotics Value Chain
RESSORT brings together 14 organisations from seven countries, combining expertise in advanced materials, sensing, actuation, artificial intelligence, design and manufacturing, robot integration, healthcare, industrial applications, certification, business development and communication. This multidisciplinary structure enables the project to connect scientific innovation with real-world requirements, validation and routes to uptake.
Partner Profiles
Each partner brings distinct and complementary expertise to the RESSORT project.
Coordinator
VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL (VUB)
About
- Prof dr ir Bram Vanderborght, Coordinator
- Prof dr ir Seppe Terryn, Co-Coordinator
- Dr Zixi Chen, Daily Manager
- Dr ir Zhanwei Wang, Postdoc Researcher
- Ir Milan Amighi, Researcher
- Ir Zhou Yuxin, Researcher
Partners
LULEÅ UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (LTU)
About
Luleå University of Technology is a Swedish technological university specialising in applied research, engineering, digital technologies and industrial innovation. The university works closely with industry and public-sector organisations to translate scientific knowledge into practical technological solutions.
TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK (DTU)
About
The Technical University of Denmark is an internationally recognised technical university conducting research and education in engineering, technology and applied sciences. Its expertise includes electrical engineering, photonics, robotics, materials, control systems and advanced manufacturing.
- Silvia Tolu, Associate Professor, co-PI, head of the NeuroRobotics Technology Lab, DTU
UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS (UPAT)
About
The University of Patras (UPAT), founded in 1964, is the third-largest university in Greece. It comprises 7 Schools and 31 Departments, covering a broad range of disciplines in science, engineering, medicine, agriculture, health, humanities, and economics. UPAT has gained international recognition for its research in areas such as health, biotechnology, environmental sciences, mechanics, electronics, informatics, and basic sciences. Several of its departments, laboratories, and clinics are recognized as centres of excellence, reflecting the University’s strong record in innovative research and international projects.
- Panagiotis Koustoumpardis, Assistant Professor, Head of UPAT research group
- Ioanna Tzoumani, Postdoctoral Researcher, Researcher
- Maria Giannoutsou, PhD candidate, Research engineer
NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NTNU)
About
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology is Norway’s leading university in science and technology. Its research and education cover engineering, natural sciences, information and communication technologies and interdisciplinary innovation, with strong links to industry and the maritime sector.
- Kostas Alexis, Professor, WP Lead
FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V. (FRAUNHOFER)
About
The Fraunhofer Research Institution for Additive Manufacturing Technologies IAPT researches additive manufacturing (AM) and advances the technology for sustainable innovations that benefit industry. Fraunhofer IAPT’s solutions reduce production costs, accelerate product development, close gaps in supply chains, and automate tasks in response to staff shortages and a lack of skilled workers.
Fraunhofer IAPT’s portfolio encompasses research and development across the entire AM manufacturing value chain—from unique component designs and system solutions, to processes and materials, to factory planning and virtualization. From the initial idea and feasibility to industrial implementation in new or existing production environments, Fraunhofer IAPT experts consider all aspects of the additive manufacturing route seamlessly end-to-end.
- Felix Weigand, Head of Part Design Group, Design for Silicone-3D-Printing
- Torben Dorbandt, Researcher QA & Qualification, Test stand development and qualification of soft actuators
- Vivien Großkopf, Researcher Energy, Sustainability measures & assessment
HEALANT
About
HEALANT (formerly Valence Technologies) is a Belgian advanced-materials company developing self-healing polymer solutions. Its self-healing material platform is designed for applications such as tyres, industrial components and durable multifunctional materials.
MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA (MELEXIS)
About
Melexis is a semiconductor and microelectronics company developing sensor and driver solutions for automotive, industrial and smart-electronics applications. Its technologies enable accurate sensing, control and interaction across a wide range of connected and intelligent systems.
- Gael Close, Innovation Director
- Nicole Yazigy, Project lead
EMBODIED AI SA
About
Embodied AI is a Swiss robotics and artificial-intelligence company developing embodied AI technologies, robotic designs and intelligent control solutions for real-world applications. Its work focuses on connecting advanced AI methods with physical robotic systems and their environments.
- Armin Avaei, Head of Product
- Max Polzin, Development Lead for AI
- Vito Giacovelli, Business Integration
- Axel Praplan, Software Engineer
OTTOBOCK SE & CO. KGAA (OBG)
About
Ottobock is a German medical-technology company developing prosthetic, orthotic, exoskeleton and neuromobility solutions. Its products and services aim to improve mobility, independence and quality of life for people with physical limitations.
J. SCHMALZ GMBH
About
J. Schmalz GmbH is a German company specialising in vacuum technology and industrial automation. Its portfolio includes vacuum-handling systems, robotic gripping solutions and clamping technologies for manufacturing, logistics and other industrial applications.
SAPHAI AB
About
Saphai AB is a Swedish artificial-intelligence and robotics company developing autonomous solutions based on neural networks, AI-enabled perception and object-detection technologies. Its work supports intelligent robotic and autonomous applications in industrial and operational environments.
- Ilias Tevetzidis, Co-founder, Task Leader
- Christoforos Kanellakis, Co-founder, Technical/Scientific Leader
- Nikolaos Stathoulopoulos, Co-founder, Researcher/Engineer
REGION HOVEDSTADEN — CAPITAL REGION OF DENMARK (REGIONH)
About
The Capital Region of Denmark is a public regional authority responsible for hospitals, healthcare services, health research, emergency services, environmental activities, transport and selected social services across Denmark’s capital region.
INSTITUTE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT (iED)
About
The Institute of Entrepreneurship Development is a Greek non-profit organisation based in Larissa. It promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, skills development and knowledge transfer through research, training, business-support activities and the implementation of European projects.
- Markos Psimitis, EU Proposal Writer & Project Manager
- Thomas Chalatsis, Head of Project Management