Jean-Daniel Nicoud

Who is Jean-Daniel Nicoud?

Jean-Daniel Nicoud, is a Swiss computer scientist, noted for inventing of a computer mouse with an optical encoder and the CALM Common Assembly Language for microprocessors.

He obtained a degree in physics at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in 1963. Around 1965, he became interested in logical systems. He obtained his PhD at the EPFL in 1970 and became a professor in 1973.

His laboratory, LAMI, developed the Smaky computer, in addition to the optical computer mouse, an update of the traditional kinetic mouse invented by Douglas Engelbart. The Khepera mobile robot was also developed at the LAMI.

He left the EPFL in August 2000 and is actively innovating in his private company, DIDEL, especially in the area of miniature ultralight aircraft. His airplane was used in a publication that received a best paper award in IROS 2006 conference.