Insights aus der Community 2: Robert Hennig von maus robotics

^{L-R: Ewen Gay-Semenkoff, Robert Hennig, Luca Beck}‍

Every day, exciting ideas emerge in Basel – and behind them are people with curiosity, courage, and a great passion for technology. It's precisely these tech minds we want to highlight at BaselTech.

In our monthly community interview, we put the spotlight on the people behind projects, startups, and companies. We talk to founders, developers, and other innovators about their motivation, experiences, and the ideas that drive them. This isn't about advertising; it's about personal stories, insights, and perspectives.

This interview series offers honest insights into the Basel tech scene, highlights interesting people and their ideas, and fosters new connections within the community.

Robert Hennig: Why Curiosity is Often the Beginning of Innovation

Some people want to understand how things work from an early age. For Robert Hennig, this curiosity went a step further: he wanted to find out how technology could specifically support people.

Growing up in the Basel region (Weil am Rhein), his enthusiasm for technology first led him to ETH Zurich, where he studied electrical engineering. He then completed a PhD in robotics at EPFL. During this time, he delved deeply into a wide range of technologies – from electronics and materials science to complex robotic systems.

Over time, however, another question came into focus: How can robots not only be technically advanced, but also deployed in a way that truly helps people in their daily lives?

"How cool would it be if you built robots that directly help people – instead of just sitting in a factory somewhere."

This thought never left him. It strengthened his resolve to not just develop robotics in the research lab, but to deploy them where they could specifically support people in their daily lives.

Robert further developed this idea with his brother Marten. While Marten was studying in the US, weekly chess games became a fixed ritual for the two of them – providing a space for regular exchange.

"We always had a weekly chess meeting. Primarily, it was just about chatting and catching up," Robert recounts.

These conversations led to the decision to build Maus Robotics together.

Anyone who meets Robert quickly realizes: curiosity still drives him today. It not only led him to research new technologies, but also, one Christmas morning, to the kitchen with a hairdryer – in search of a new technical solution.

Today, Robert, along with his brother and a dedicated team at Maus Robotics, is working on robotic solutions for practical applications – including a crêpe robot. He particularly values collaboration with people from different disciplines, as he believes the best solutions rarely arise in isolation, but almost always through exchange with others.

Who is Robert Hennig?

Robert Hennig is a robotics engineer, researcher, and founder. After studying electrical engineering at ETH Zurich, he completed a PhD in robotics at EPFL. He was particularly shaped by interdisciplinary environments where people with diverse backgrounds collaborate. It was precisely there that he learned that major innovations are rarely the result of a single idea, but usually emerge from many perspectives.

What does Robert want to share with the community?

He wants to show that innovation doesn't mean always having the perfect solution right away. It's far more important to remain open, ask questions, and be willing to try new things. In his experience, many of the most valuable insights don't come from things that work immediately, but from the detours along the way.

What does Robert expect from BaselTech?

From BaselTech, Robert looks forward to meeting people who want to share their experiences and learn from each other.

For Robert, Basel is more than just his home region. He values Basel as an open and international location that combines innovation with a vibrant culture and arts scene. The short distances, openness, and exchange with experts from diverse fields make Basel an inspiring place. Often, the best ideas emerge from simple conversations.

How does Robert contribute to the BaselTech community?

Robert contributes his experience from research, robotics, and company building to the community. He enjoys talking about technical challenges, product development, and how an idea can become a tangible solution. At the same time, he finds it important to speak openly about mistakes, uncertainties, and learning processes, because these insights often help others.

Which challenges have particularly shaped Robert?

One of Robert's most formative experiences was the transition from research to practice. While research often focuses on technical questions, outside the lab, it's primarily about people and their needs. This perspective changed his view on developing new solutions.

What excites you about your profession / industry?

Robert is fascinated by the incredible diversity of his field of work. Robotics combines a wide range of disciplines – from software and electronics to mechanics and materials science. However, he finds the collaboration with people from diverse fields even more exciting. Many of the most intriguing solutions arise from exchanges with colleagues who come from completely different backgrounds.

A fun fact about Robert?

“One Christmas, I suddenly found myself in the kitchen with a hairdryer, trying to spread batter,” Robert says with a smile.

Behind the unusual experiment was a specific idea: to spread crêpe batter not with a spatula, but with the help of air. The improvised attempt with the hairdryer worked surprisingly well. Robert then further developed the concept with fans and successfully integrated it into the robot – which later even resulted in a patent. A great example of how innovation sometimes starts exactly where you least expect it.

What key takeaway does Robert want to share?

When asked about his most important takeaway, Robert doesn't need to think long.

“Just do something. See how it goes – and then make it better again.”

For Robert, that's the key: try out ideas early, gather feedback, and continuously improve. This is precisely the attitude he wants to share with the community.

What thought does Robert want to leave with the community?

For Robert, innovation doesn't begin with the perfect idea, but with the courage to simply start. Those who are willing to try things out, learn from feedback, and continuously refine them lay the groundwork for better solutions.

"Ultimately, we're only as good as our ability to iterate."

Finally

If you'd like to learn more about Robert Hening and maus robotics, feel free to visit the website of maus robotics .

And if you'd also like to share your story, experiences, or learnings with the BaselTech Community, we'd love to hear from you. Perhaps you'll soon be part of our next edition of "Insights from the Community."

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