Bernadett’s research explores how principles of human biomechanics can inform energy-efficient robotic locomotion, culminating in the development of the EcoWalker robot and a first-author publication in Scientific Reports. Her work aims to bridge the gap between human walking efficiency and artificial locomotion through bio-inspired robotic design.
We are excited to announce that Bernadett Kiss is our next IMPRS-IS Scholar Spotlight!
Bernadett joined the International Max Planck Research School for Intelligent Systems (IMPRS-IS) in 2022 as a doctoral researcher. Her PhD project is part of the DFG-funded EcoWalk project, which she began working on in 2021 at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) in Stuttgart in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich. She is supervised by Alexander Badri-Spröwitz, former head of the Dynamic Locomotion Group and now Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering at KU Leuven. Following his transition to Leuven, Bernadett continued her research at MPI-IS in Stuttgart.
Her work lies at the intersection of biomechanics and robotics, focusing on understanding the underlying principles of human walking and translating them into robotic systems. In her PhD, she investigated the catapult-like mechanism of the human leg, with particular emphasis on the role and timing of ankle push-off, and sought to replicate these dynamics in a human-like robot. To achieve this, she developed and iteratively refined the EcoWalker robot across three generations (v1-v3), using it as an experimental platform to study mono- and biarticular muscle-tendon functions and catapult release mechanisms. Her work has led to multiple publications, including a paper presented at the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) 2022 and a first-author publication in Scientific Reports, with further work currently under review. Through this research, she aims to reduce the performance gap between able-bodied human walking and artificial locomotion in terms of efficiency and adaptability.
Before joining IMPRS-IS, Bernadett earned her M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Biorobotics from the Delft University of Technology, and her B.Sc. in Mechatronics Engineering with a specialization in Biomechatronics from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. During her doctoral studies, Bernadett had the opportunity to present her research internationally, traveling to Japan, the United States, and France for conferences. Notably, she presented at IROS 2022 in Kyoto and at the 11th International Symposium on Adaptive Motion of Animals and Machines (AMAM) in 2023 in Kobe. At AMAM, she showcased the EcoWalker robot in a live demonstration, earning both Best Demo and Best Poster Presentation awards. Beyond conferences, she has regularly presented live demonstrations of the robot to visitors and colleagues during institute events. Her work was also featured in the Stuttgarter Zeitung in April 2024 (see photo).
In addition to her research, Bernadett is actively engaged in building community within IMPRS-IS. She co-founded the Human Leg Research Club (HLRC), an initiative that brings together researchers working on biomechanics and related topics and has since evolved into a mailing list for sharing literature and events. She also contributes as an organizer of the IMPRS-IS Think & Link event series, encouraging interdisciplinary exchange and creating fun challenges that connect people. In this context, she also co-organized a robot building and racing challenge as part of Girls’ Day in 2025 and 2026, introducing girls to robotics through hands-on activities.
Outside of academia, Bernadett enjoys a wide range of activities that keep her both active and creative. She regularly practices aerial acrobatics, enjoys game nights with friends, and is always up for biking, swimming, or dancing salsa and bachata. She also continues to stay connected to her roots in Hungary, returning most summers as a trainer at a children’s sailing camp at the club where she once competed. Bernadett successfully defended her PhD thesis on March 6. Looking ahead, she plans to remain in the Stuttgart region and is considering opportunities in research and development in industry as her next step.
Congratulations, Bernadett! We are proud to feature your achievements in this IMPRS-IS Scholar Spotlight!
Bernadett walking the EcoWalker-2 robot at MPI-IS Stuttgart. Photo by Linda Behringer for the Stuttgarter Zeitung.
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