“Representation matters because you can’t be what you can’t see”

Helen Oleynikova is a senior researcher at the Autonomous Systems Lab at ETH Zurich. When she started her research on autonomous mapping and planning for collision avoidance on drones, she was often the only woman in the room. Over the years, she has witnessed a shift as more women enter the field of robotics. But while progress is being made, challenges remain.

Three roboticists on the side of the highway near Madrid, Spain, testing their robot for road maintenance and repair for the EU HERON project. Photo by Helen Oleynikova

Closing the Gender Gap in Robotics

“When I started my PhD, there were just two women in a much larger lab. At Google, I was one of only a hundred. That was just the reality,” Helen says. “But something interesting happens when more women join. Suddenly, you’re not seen as ‘the woman’—you’re just another researcher, an individual.”This shift, she explains, isn’t about making the field easier for women—it’s about creating an environment where everyone is recognized for their expertise, not their gender. And that’s exactly what’s happening as more women enter robotics.

Encouraging the Next Generation

Helen is passionate about inspiring younger students—especially girls—to explore robotics. “Anytime there’s a school group visiting, I try to give a demo or make sure one of my female colleagues does. Representation matters because you can’t be what you can’t see.” She emphasizes that robotics isn’t just for a specific type of person. “There’s nothing gender-specific about working in STEM. It’s about curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration.”

Diverse Perspectives in Robotics

Helen has noticed that many of her female colleagues are especially drawn to the impact of robotics beyond the technical challenge itself. “For some, it’s not just about building something cool—it’s about the application. How can this technology help in hospitals? How does it solve real-world problems?” This perspective also influences how teams recruit new talent. “When writing job descriptions, emphasizing real-world impact rather than just technical problem-solving makes a difference. It attracts people who are motivated by making a tangible difference.” As robotics continues to grow, Helen sees diversity as an advantage. “More perspectives mean better solutions. The more voices we have in the field, the better the technology we create.”

This article is a continuation of the interview with Helen Oleynikova. To mark International Women's Day on 8 March, this issue focuses on gender relations in robotics.