EPFL mourns pioneering roboticist Reymond Clavel

Reymond Clavel was a professor at EPFL from 1981-2013. His research in the Laboratory of Robotics Systems in the School of Engineering focused on parallel robotics, high speed and high precision robotics, and medical and surgical robotics applications. In 1985, Clavel led the research team that invented the parallel Delta robot, which, with its three arms and gripping device, revolutionized the packaging world.

In the wake of his passing on June 24th, 2025, the EPFL community has reflected not only on Clavel’s lasting scientific contributions, but also on his humanity and the memorable impact of his life and work on those around him.

“Professor Clavel was an innovative researcher whose innovations transformed the world of robotics, particularly his Delta robot, which has found applications in a variety of fields including packaging, pharmaceutical, and food industries, as well as robotic surgery. His legacy will continue to inspire our students and colleagues for many years to come,” says Dean Ali H. Sayed of the School of Engineering.

A symbol of high-performance robotics

During a visit to a Swiss chocolate factory, Clavel was moved by watching workers engaged in repetitive and tiring manual labor. This prompted him to build on his mechanical engineering skills to develop a machine that could alleviate the duress of factory labor. His first concept for the Delta robot evolved into a prototype that initially puzzled manufacturers with its long, spidery arms, but ultimately became a symbol of high-performance robotics – combining remarkable grace with dynamics exceeding 50 times the acceleration of gravity.

Today, there exists a multitude of Delta robots, from large machines that can handle several kilograms to miniature versions with micrometer-level precision. Over 10,000 Delta robots have been deployed across a diverse array of applications. In 1987, the robot was licensed to Swiss company Demaurex for the production of robots for the packaging industry. Over the course of his career, Clavel also authored some 30 patents.

A cherished teacher as well as a pioneering inventor

Over the years, Clavel educated and inspired hundreds of students with his patient and didactic lecturing style. His door was always open, and conversations with him – whether technical, philosophical, or humorous – left many students with fond memories.

Clavel’s academic path was as unique as his personality. After earning his degree in mechanical engineering from EPFL in 1973, he spent nearly a decade at Hermes-Precisa. He then returned to EPFL and was appointed professor before even obtaining his PhD – a milestone he would achieve several years later.

The paradigm shift in industrial automation that Clavel initiated with the Delta robot has been recognized by multiple prestigious awards: the JIRA Award from the Japan Industrial Robot Association in 1989, the Golden Robot Award sponsored by ABB in 1999, and the Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Award in 2024.

“Reymond was not only a visionary engineer and brilliant inventor, but he was also a highly respected teacher whose influence on generations of engineers since 1981 has been immeasurable,” says Mohamed Bouri, head of EPFL’s Rehabilitation and Assistive Robotics Group. “His legacy will live on through his inventions and the warmth and humanity he shared with those around him.”