The Birth of a Visionary Team
It all began when Professor Alireza Darvishy (ZHAW) conceived the ambitious plan of assembling a team for the new vision assistance race at the Cybathlon 2024. Prof. Darvishy, who himself is affected by vision loss, knew that a collaborative effort would be key to success. This led him to invite Professor Hans Wernher van de Venn (ZHAW), a longtime advocate for building a cybathlon team.
Forming the Sight Guide Alliance
Together, they reached out to their friends and fellow academics, Professors Roland Siegwart (ETH) and Davide Scaramuzza (Uni Zurich). The idea resonated with them, and they were excited to join the venture. This collaboration marked the formation of the Sight Guide team, representing the alliance of the three leading universities in the canton of Zurich.
Each of these four professors brings a unique set of skills and expertise to the team, and they will mentor promising students from their respective institutes to lead the project:
- Alireza Darvishy: A professor at Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Darvishy leads the ICT Accessibility Lab, a national competence center on ICT accessibility in Switzerland. With over 20 years of experience in accessibility research and numerous awards, he is a driving force in the field.
- Hans Wernher van de Venn: As the Director of the Institute for Mechatronic Systems at Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Prof. van de Venn has over 17 years of experience in mechatronics, making him an invaluable mentor to the Sight Guide team.
- Roland Siegwart: Prof. Siegwart, a Professor for Autonomous Systems at ETH Zurich, is renowned for his research in the design and control of robots and systems operating in complex environments. His expertise in adaptive systems is crucial for guiding the development of innovative assistive devices. In addition, he is a member of the board of directors of various companies, including Komax and NZZ, which further highlights his extensive experience in leadership and management roles.
- Davide Scaramuzza: Prof. Scaramuzza is an Professor of Robotics and Perception at the University of Zurich. His research at the intersection of robotics, computer vision, and neuroscience, focusing on autonomous, agile navigation of micro drones, brings a cutting-edge perspective to the team.
The formation of the Sight Guide team showcases the power of collaboration and the shared vision of these four brilliant minds. Under their guidance, talented students will work together to develop groundbreaking technology aimed at enhancing the lives of visually impaired people around the world. Stay tuned for a later article introducing the individual students leading this innovative project.