CYBERBOTICS SARL

Their core work

Cyberbotics is a Swiss SME that develops robot simulation software, best known as the creator of Webots — an open-source robot simulator used in research and industry. Within the Human Brain Project, they provided the neurorobotics simulation platform that connects brain models to virtual robot bodies. More recently, they have expanded into deep learning toolkits for robotic perception and autonomy, and into optimizing industrial applications for heterogeneous high-performance computing systems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2016–2020, Cyberbotics was deeply embedded in the Human Brain Project ecosystem, contributing neurorobotics simulation capabilities across three successive grant agreements focused on brain modeling, neuroinformatics, and neuromorphic computing. From 2020 onward, they pivoted toward applied robotics AI (OpenDR) and industrial HPC optimization (OPTIMA), signaling a shift from pure neuroscience infrastructure toward commercially applicable robotics and computing tools. The thread connecting both phases is simulation software — but the application domain has broadened significantly from brain research to general-purpose robotics and industry.

Cyberbotics is transitioning from a niche neuroscience simulation provider to a broader robotics AI and industrial computing player, making them increasingly relevant for applied robotics and automation projects.

How they like to work

Cyberbotics has never coordinated an H2020 project — they consistently join as a specialist contributor, most often as a third party (4 of 6 projects). Their 171 unique partners across 19 countries is impressive but somewhat inflated by participation in the massive Human Brain Project consortia rather than reflecting independently built relationships. They are best understood as a trusted technology provider that large research consortia bring in for specific simulation capabilities.

Connected to 171 partners across 19 countries, primarily through the Human Brain Project mega-consortium. Their independent partnerships (OpenDR, OPTIMA) are smaller and more focused, suggesting their true active network is narrower than the raw numbers imply.

What sets them apart

Cyberbotics occupies a rare niche at the intersection of robot simulation, neuroscience, and AI — very few SMEs can claim deep experience in both brain-inspired robotics and practical deep learning toolkits. Their open-source Webots simulator gives them credibility and visibility in the robotics research community that larger companies cannot easily replicate. For consortium builders, they bring a concrete, deployable simulation platform rather than just research expertise.

Highlights from their portfolio

• OpenDR
  Their largest funded project (EUR 803,750) and a strategic pivot — building an open-source deep learning toolkit for robotic autonomy and perception.
• HBP SGA3
  The culmination of seven years contributing neurorobotics simulation to Europe's flagship brain research initiative, covering EBRAINS infrastructure and connectome research.
• OPTIMA
  Represents expansion into industrial HPC optimization with FPGAs and accelerators — a new commercial direction beyond their traditional neuroscience base.