Robert Siddall

Dr. Robert Siddall is an aerospace engineer and roboticist specializing in bioinspired robotics and environmental technology. Siddall holds a master's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Cambridge and a doctorate in aeronautics from Imperial College London, where his thesis on aerial-aquatic locomotion received the Best UK PhD in Robotics Award. As a lecturer in robotics at the University of Surrey, Siddall develops robots designed to navigate challenging terrain and address environmental issues by drawing inspiration from agile animals in nature.

Siddall's research includes the development of aquatic aircraft, a robotic flying gecko, and a robotic fish designed to collect microplastics. Among his engineering projects is the Aquatic Micro Air Vehicle (AquaMAV), which incorporates biological principles such as plunge-diving for water entry, folding wings for diving efficiency, water jet propulsion for takeoff, and hydrophobic surfaces for water shedding and dry flight. Prior to his role at the University of Surrey, Siddall served as engineering lead at a European Space Agency-funded startup, where he developed an agricultural robot and conducted research on multirotor aircraft at Imperial College.

Siddall received support from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation through a two-year postdoctoral research fellowship at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart. There, he collaborated with Ardian Jusufi on bioinspired soft robotics, focusing on life-like robots modeled after animal locomotion and structure. His research included studying the arboreal acrobatics of rainforest reptiles.

Siddall is active in science communication, having created a TED-Ed animation on squid flight and founding The Natural Robotics Contest, which invites public participation in bioinspired engineering. The contest produced projects such as Plantolin, a robotic pangolin that plants seeds. Siddall frequently discusses the intersection of biology and robotics as an entry point into science and engineering for young people, and is recognized for making biomechanical research accessible to broader audiences interested in robotics, conservation technology, and STEM education.