Dr Appolinaire Etoundi

• Qualifications:BEng, MEng, MSc, PhD, FHEA
• Position:Senior Lecturer in Mechatronics | Researcher in Rehabilitation Robotics | Programme Leader - Mechanical Engineering
• Department:School of Engineering
• Telephone:+441173286770

About me

Dr. Appolinaire C. Etoundi, holding a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bristol, is a dynamic academic with a career covering impactful teaching, innovative research, and meaningful industry collaborations. His journey began as a Teaching Associate in Engineering Design at the University of Bristol before moving into a postdoctoral position on the System Design of Ultra-Efficient Chain Drives research project with Renold PLC. During this time, he contributed significantly to developing a test rig for the British Olympic Cycling Team.ince joining the University of the West of England (UWE) in 2013, Dr. Etoundi has distinguished himself through a commitment to impactful research and education. His focus shifted toward assistive and rehabilitative technologies following an encounter with Paralympic/European champion Andy Lewis MBE. His work is deeply rooted in bio-inspired technologies and artificial intelligence, aimed at advancing devices and systems for upper and lower-limb amputees. By integrating design concepts from biological systems, particularly in compliance and versatility, into electromechanical systems, he envisions enhancing the efficiency of mobile robots, assistive technologies, and rehabilitation/prosthetic devices.

Dr. Etoundi’s interdisciplinary research bridges biology, biomechanics, and robotics to develop innovative solutions in healthcare and engineering. He has secured significant funding for his work, including:

• EPSRC First Grant: "Novel Bio-Inspired 'Smart' Joint for Prosthetics and Robotics Lower Limbs" (EP/P022588/1), focusing on bio-inspired control systems to enhance robotic mobility.
• NIHR i4i FAST Award: "A Multi-Modal Bio-Inspired Prosthetic Knee Joint for Different Daily Activities" (NIHR206099), advancing prosthetic knee technology to improve functionality and user adaptability.

Dr. Etoundi’s contributions extend beyond academia, with notable media coverage and impactful projects highlighting his dedication to advancing knowledge and improving lives. After receiving support from UWE, he led a multidisciplinary team to develop the very first 3-D printed bio-inspired prosthetic leg for the CYBATHLON 2024 in Switzerland. This work gained international recognition during the CYBATHLON competition and has been praised for its potential to transform assistive technology.

In 2025, Dr. Etoundi was invited to the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, organised by the United Nations and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Representing UWE Bristol, he showcased his work on AI-enabled assistive and rehabilitation technologies aimed at improving mobility, accessibility, and inclusion for people with disabilities. The summit brought together global leaders, innovators, and researchers working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and societal impact. Dr. Etoundi’s participation strengthened international collaborations and reinforced his commitment to harnessing AI for ethical, human-centred engineering solutions that advance health and wellbeing worldwide.

His teaching includes cutting-edge courses such as Mechatronics, Advanced Mechatronics, Biomechatronics, Engineering Design, Integrated Electromechanical Systems, and Healthcare Science. These modules incorporate state-of-the-art technologies and practical applications, preparing students for future industry demands.

Dr. Etoundi has played a pivotal role in transforming the Mechatronics Laboratory at UWE into a cutting-edge environment that integrates teaching and research. He has led the design and commissioning of innovative, research-embedded demonstrators that enrich student learning while supporting advanced experimentation. His close and active collaboration with industry leaders such as European Space Agency (ESA)-ECSAT, Renishaw PLC, Ottobock, Ossur, and also North Bristol NHS Trust (Bristol Centre for Enablement), highlight his commitment to bridging academia and real-world innovation in prosthetics, rehabilitation, and assistive robotics.

With expertise extending over robotics, biomimetics, rehabilitation, mechatronics, smart systems, assistive technologies, and prosthetics/exoskeletons, Dr. Etoundi’s work continues to push the boundaries of engineering and healthcare. His passion for multidisciplinary systems drives his research at the nexus of bio-inspired, biomechanical, and robotic engineering, striving to create solutions that make a lasting positive impact on society.

Dr Etoundi is the Programme Leader for Mechanical Engineering since September 2025. He is driven by the belief that “engineering education should ignite passion, purpose, problem-solving excellence to inspire innovation, to transform curiosity into creativity and purposeful learning to engineer a better and smarter future.”

Area of expertise

Mechatronics

Robotics

Biomimetics/Bioinspired Technologies

Publications

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