Recep Polat
Papers
1
Total Citations
11
H-Index
1
About
Recep Polat is a robotics researcher at ETH Zurich, specializing in the design and control of legged robots for extreme environments, particularly low-gravity celestial bodies. His most prominent work is the SpaceHopper project, a small-scale, three-legged robot weighing just 5.2 kg and measuring 245 mm in body size, engineered for future mobile exploration of asteroids and moons. Polat’s key contributions lie in developing space-qualifiable robotic systems that can navigate the unique challenges of microgravity, using innovative control strategies to enable hopping and stabilization on irregular terrain. The SpaceHopper paper, published in 2024, has already garnered 11 citations, reflecting its timely impact on the growing field of space robotics. Polat’s work bridges the gap between terrestrial robotics and planetary exploration, offering a lightweight, cost-effective alternative to traditional rovers. By focusing on small-scale, agile platforms, he is helping to pave the way for autonomous missions to low-gravity bodies, where conventional wheeled robots struggle. His research is particularly notable for its practical approach to space-qualifiable components, making it a promising foundation for future interplanetary missions.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1