Prof. Ingmar Posner is a leading figure in applied artificial intelligence at the University of Oxford, where he serves as Principal Investigator for the Applied Artificial Intelligence Lab (A2I) and founding Director of the Oxford Robotics Institute. His work focuses on enabling robots to operate effectively in complex real-world environments through experience-driven learning. Key research areas: robot learning, scene interpretation, data-efficient learning, and transfer learning Applications in manipulation, autonomous driving, logistics, and space exploration His team has produced groundbreaking work in world models, sim-to-real transfer, and constraint-based manipulation systems (e.g., COMBO-Grasp). Notable contributions include the TWIST distillation framework and foundational research in tactile data generation (TactGen). He has received multiple best paper awards at top robotics venues. Publications reveal evolving research themes: 2025 work emphasizes language-conditioned learning (Lumos) and multi-agent decision-making, while 2024 focused on diffusion models for locomotion and differentiable simulators. Earlier work spans from urban scene analysis to physically plausible scene synthesis (RELATE).
Nima Fazeli is an Assistant Professor of Robotics at the University of Michigan (2020–Present), holding courtesy appointments in Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) and Mechanical Engineering. He directs the Manipulation and Machine Intelligence (MMint) Lab, focusing on enabling dexterous robotic manipulation through multimodal representation learning, tactile sensing, and model-based reasoning. His work integrates mechanics, perception, controls, and planning to achieve autonomous interaction with uncertain environments. Education: PhD, MIT (2019); MSc, University of Maryland (2014); BSc, Amirkabir University of Technology (2011) Research interests emphasize embodied intelligence , including visuo-tactile fusion, contact dynamics modeling, and cross-modal learning. Recent work explores tactile shadows, deformable object manipulation, and language-guided robot control. His research is supported by the NSF CAREER grant and National Robotics Initiative, with applications in manufacturing, assistive robotics, and space systems. Publications span topics like tactile sensing hardware (e.g., GelSlim 4.0), visuo-tactile implicit representations (ViTaSCOPE), and failure recovery policies (Racer). His team’s work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times and BBC. Key Awards: NSF CAREER Grant (2024) Teaching includes Introduction to Robotic Manipulation . Collaborations involve cross-disciplinary projects with mechanical, electrical, and biomedical engineering groups.
Chris Atkeson is a Professor at the Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University. His research focuses on achieving human-level competence in machines through humanoid robotics and human-aware environments. He explores machine learning techniques such as reinforcement learning, nonparametric methods, and memory-based learning to develop robots capable of complex tasks like manipulation, locomotion, and perception. His work emphasizes bridging the gap between simulation and real-world applications (sim2real transfer), with contributions to tactile sensing (e.g., FingerVision), dynamic walking control, and human-robot collaboration. Notable projects include participation in the DARPA Robotics Challenge with Team WPI-CMU, where his team developed reliable humanoid behavior for disaster response scenarios. Atkeson’s research spans robotics, computer vision, and control systems, with a focus on enabling robots to perceive, learn, and act in unstructured environments. His recent work includes advancements in 3D scene capture, soft robotics, and energy-based planning for compositional tasks.
Wojciech Matusik is a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). He leads the Computational Design and Fabrication Group and is a member of the Computer Graphics Group. His research spans computer graphics, robotics, and AI-driven manufacturing, with a focus on computational design, tactile sensing, and material science. Matusik holds a PhD in Computer Science from MIT (2003), an MS from MIT (2001), and a BS from UC Berkeley (1997). His work includes groundbreaking projects like differentiable cloth simulation (DiffCloth), AI-enhanced molecular design, and tactile sensing gloves. He has received prestigious awards such as the MIT TR35 (2004), DARPA Young Faculty Award (2012), and Ruth and Joel Spira Teaching Award (2014). Matusik teaches courses on computer graphics, machine learning, and computational fabrication at MIT. Key research themes include: Robotics: Robotic assembly, tactile interaction, and soft robotics Graphics: 3D holography, procedural material generation Manufacturing: Additive fabrication, topology optimization His recent articles explore AI-driven molecular synthesis, holographic displays, and tactile-enabled VR systems. Matusik collaborates on open-source tools like the WiReSens tactile platform and Simit language for sparse systems.
Rana Hanocka is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Chicago, leading the 3DL research group focused on AI-driven 3D geometry processing. She earned her Ph.D. in 2021 from Tel Aviv University under Professors Daniel Cohen-Or and Raja Giryes. Her work explores neural networks for unstructured 3D data, including mesh convolutional networks and self-priors for shape reconstruction. Key research areas include geometric deep learning, human-AI collaboration in 3D modeling, and interpretable neural networks. Notable contributions include MeshCNN (SIGGRAPH 2019) and Point2Mesh (NeurIPS 2020), advancing mesh analysis and point cloud processing. Awards include the 2023 Pazy Research Award and 2020 Rising Star in EECS. Education : Ph.D. Computer Science, Tel Aviv University (2021) Labs/Groups : 3DL Group at UChicago Grants : NSF Grant for AI-driven 3D modeling tools (2023) Research directions emphasize creative human-AI partnerships, unsupervised learning from shape collections, and explainable 3D neural networks. Ongoing projects include style-aware 3D synthesis, interactive segmentation, and multimodal shape interfaces.
Professor Carlo Harvey is a creative technologist at the School of Digital Arts (SODA), Manchester Metropolitan University. His interdisciplinary research merges games , machine learning , virtual production , and cultural heritage reinterpretation . He leads industry collaborations with entities like Jaguar Land Rover and Epic Games, focusing on AI-driven interactive audio, real-time visualization, and accessibility solutions. Award-winning projects : TIGA, Innovate UK, and Epic Games MegaGrant for Accession Industry partnerships : Automotive sector, cultural institutions His research spans human-computer interaction , multisensory virtual environments , and acoustic-visual cross-modal perception . Recent publications address robotic simulations, motion alignment, and haptic feedback systems. Scientific recognition : TIGA Award, Innovate UK Funding, Epic Games MegaGrant Advocacy : Digital inclusion, creative collaboration, social impact of technology
David Lindlbauer is an Assistant Professor at the Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) of Carnegie Mellon University, where he leads the Augmented Perception Lab and co-directs the CMU Extended Reality Technology Center. His research bridges human perception, extended reality (AR/VR), and computational interaction techniques, focusing on developing systems that dynamically adapt interface elements based on environmental context, user cognition, and task requirements. He completed his PhD at TU Berlin under Prof. Marc Alexa and held a postdoctoral position at ETH Zurich's Advanced Interactive Technologies lab. His work has been published extensively at top venues including ACM CHI, UIST, and IEEE VR, with research themes spanning gaze tracking, spatial audio optimization, haptic feedback, and multimodal notification systems. Media outlets like MIT Technology Review and Fast Company Design have featured his innovations. Dr. Lindlbauer has received prestigious grants from Meta, NSF, and ETH Zurich, and serves on program committees for CHI, UIST, and ISMAR. He has been recognized with Best Paper awards at ISS 2023 and CHI 2016, and his lab develops tools like MineXR for personalized XR interfaces and RealityReplay for temporal change visualization in mixed reality environments.
Prof. Dr. Otmar Hilliges is a Full Professor at the Department of Computer Science at ETH Zurich. He leads the AIT lab and serves as the head of the Institute of Intelligent Interactive Systems. His research focuses on spatio-temporal understanding of human movement and interaction, leveraging algorithms and representations from videos, images, and sensor data for applications in Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Human-Robot Interaction. Education: Diplom (MSc) in Computer Science, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany PhD in Computer Science, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Germany (2009) Research Interests: Hilliges' work spans computer vision, robotics, and human-computer interaction. He develops methods for 3D human pose estimation, generative models for realistic avatar creation, and physically plausible simulation of human-object interactions. His research emphasizes practical applications in AR/VR and assistive robotics, aiming to bridge the gap between perception and action. Grants & Contributions: ERC Consolidator Grant (2022-2027): 'AI-Perceive: Robust Human-Centric Computer Vision for Advanced AI-Agents' Google Research Agreement (2020-2025): 'Generative Modelling of Humans' Microsoft Research Grants: Focus on human-centric robotics and interactive technologies Labs & Teams: Leads the AIT Lab at ETH Zurich, which pioneers research in intelligent interactive systems, emphasizing human-centric AI and robotics. The lab collaborates on projects ranging from drone cinematography to haptic feedback systems.
Jeannette Bohg is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University, directing the Interactive Perception and Robot Learning Lab. Previously, she was a group leader at the Autonomous Motion Department (AMD) of the MPI for Intelligent Systems (2012-2017). She holds a PhD from KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm) and degrees from Chalmers University and TU Dresden. Her research focuses on perception, learning, and real-time multi-modal methods for autonomous robotic manipulation and grasping, aiming to bridge principles of human sensorimotor coordination with robotic implementation. Education: PhD in Robotics (KTH), MSc in Art & Technology (Chalmers), Diploma in Computer Science (TU Dresden) Research interests include developing goal-directed, real-time robotic systems capable of meaningful feedback for execution and learning. Key areas are dexterous manipulation, imitation learning, and cross-embodiment policy transfer. Notable contributions include the TidyBot platform and work on force-aware surgical robotics. Awards include the 2019 IEEE ICRA Best Paper Award, 2019 IEEE RA Early Career Award, and 2020 RSS Early Career Award. Her lab explores intersections of robotics, ML, and computer vision. Advising: Actively mentoring students/postdocs in manipulation, perception, and learning. Grants and collaborations span NSF, Stanford AI Lab, and industry partnerships. Future work emphasizes robust real-world deployment and human-robot collaboration. Labs/Teams: Leads the Interactive Perception and Robot Learning Lab, contributing to Stanford’s AI ecosystem. Previously managed the MPI AMD group, fostering interdisciplinary research in autonomous systems.
Professor Gabriel Brostow is a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science at University College London (UCL), where he leads research in Computer Vision and Human-Computer Interaction. He also serves as Chief Research Scientist and Senior Director of the R&D Team at Niantic, the company behind Pokémon GO. His work bridges academic research and industry applications, focusing on developing AI systems that enhance human capabilities through what he terms 'Human in the Loop AI'—now commonly referred to as Human-Centered AI. Brostow completed his BS in Electrical Engineering at UT Austin, followed by a PhD with Irfan Essa at Georgia Tech. He then pursued postdoctoral research with Roberto Cipolla's Computer Vision & Robotics Group at Cambridge University as a Marshall Sherfield Fellow, and with Marc Pollefeys in ETH Zurich's CVG Group. His research explores how AI, particularly Computer Vision, can serve as 'super-tools' for professionals across various domains including filmmaking, architecture, robotics, and scientific research. Specific interests include assistive technology for everyday life, authoring systems that maximize user effort, 3D reconstruction, depth estimation, and vision-language models. His work often involves creating systems that are validated through real-world human interaction to ensure practical utility. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on practical applications of Computer Vision that directly interact with humans. His research spans 3D scene understanding, depth estimation, sketch-based interfaces, and multimodal AI systems. There's a clear emphasis on creating benchmarks and tools that facilitate human-AI collaboration, with applications in assistive technology, urban planning, filmmaking, and biodiversity monitoring. His work frequently appears at top conferences including CVPR, NeurIPS, ECCV, and CHI. Marshall Sherfield Fellowship Brostow actively mentors PhD students, with current advisees including Ross Murphy, Skanda Koppula, Gizem Unlu, Omiros Pantazis, and Jamie Watson. His alumni include numerous PhD graduates and MSc students who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. He emphasizes selecting students based on passion and potential rather than just academic credentials, valuing traits like helpfulness, drive, and hunger to learn. His research is supported through collaborations with major institutions and companies including DeepMind, MIT, and the University of Edinburgh. He leads a research group at UCL that collaborates closely with Niantic's R&D team, creating a unique bridge between academic research and industry application. His team's work frequently involves developing novel Computer Vision techniques that are validated through real-world human interaction, ensuring practical utility alongside technical innovation. The group explores blue-sky research problems with applications ranging from assistive technology to professional tools for filmmakers, architects, and scientists studying diverse environments.
Chris Harrison is an Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science, directing the Future Interfaces Group . His research focuses on novel human-computer interaction technologies, including haptics, AR/VR/XR, and ubiquitous computing. Research Interests: Ubiquitous Computing, Human-Centered AI, Physical Interfaces (Sensing, Haptics, Fabrication), AR/VR/XR, Social Computing Advisees: Daehwa Kim, Nathan DeVrio, Vimal Mollyn, Vivian Shen Scientific Recognition: Forbes 30 Under 30 (Science), MIT Technology Review 35 Innovators Under 35, Smithsonian Innovator (2013), Google/Microsoft/Qualcomm Fellows Contact: chris.harrison@cs.cmu.edu His recent publications explore advanced haptic systems (Reel Feel, Fluid Reality), body-centric sensing (SkinTrack), and environment-embedded interfaces (Wall++). Current work integrates UWB/IMU fusion for pose estimation and synthetic jet haptics.
Parastoo Abtahi is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department at Princeton University. She leads the Situated Interactions Lab (Ψ Lab) as part of the Princeton HCI Group, focusing on AR/VR and spatial computing. Prior to Princeton, she worked at Meta Reality Labs Research. PhD in Computer Science from Stanford University BSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering from University of Toronto (Engineering Science program) Her research explores wearable interactive technologies that augment human intelligence in physical contexts through: Input on-the-go: Low-effort, privacy-preserving multimodal interfaces Intelligent output: Timely, minimal multisensory systems Situated AI: Personalizable, predictable, safe physical-digital interaction Recent publications analyze: Drone-based haptic illusions for AR/VR Microgestures for mobile AR input Interactivity in explainable AI systems Temporal dynamics in VR haptics Awards include: 2025 Google Research Scholar Award CHI 2019 & 2018 Honorable Mentions She teaches courses like: COS 436: Human-Computer Interaction COS IW: AR Meets AI
Dr. Heather Culbertson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Southern California, leading the HaRVI (Haptics Robotics and Virtual Interaction) Laboratory. Her research focuses on designing haptic hardware and algorithms to create intuitive human-robot interactions through touch, emphasizing realism in virtual environments and social connectedness. Key areas include mediated touch, wearable haptic systems, and multisensory integration in VR/AR applications. The lab's work spans robotics, human perception modeling, and cross-disciplinary solutions for healthcare and immersive technologies. Research interests revolve around tactile feedback systems, social robotics, and the psychological impact of haptic interfaces. Recent work explores real-time haptic texture rendering, affective communication via touch, and motion platforms for VR. Culbertson's projects often integrate human factors early in design to ensure usability and immersion. Publications highlight advancements in haptics coding standards, drone-human interaction, and emotion regulation systems. Her contributions bridge engineering and cognitive sciences, addressing challenges in wearable tech, surgical training simulations, and assistive robotics. The HaRVI Lab collaborates across disciplines to advance tactile interfaces for virtual reality, social robotics, and medical applications.
Professor Peter F. Driessen is a faculty member in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Victoria, with a cross-appointment in the School of Music. He holds a BSc and PhD from the University of Victoria and is a Professional Engineer (PEng). His research focuses on communication systems, signal processing, control, and interdisciplinary projects in computer music and wireless technologies. Key areas include audio/video signal processing, radio propagation, sound recording, and multimedia systems. He leads the University of Victoria Propagation Laboratory, which explores radio wave propagation and Amateur radio integration with engineering education. His work spans theoretical research and applied projects like ECOSat satellite systems, software-defined radio (SDR), and innovative musical instruments such as the Radio Drum. He supervises undergraduate and graduate projects in these domains through ELEC 499 courses. Notable contributions include the APEGBC Editorial Board Award for Best Paper (2002) and patents in wireless networking and signal processing. His teaching includes courses in signal analysis and electromagnetics, and he collaborates on interdisciplinary programs like the Music/Computer Science degree. Education: BSc in Electrical Engineering, University of Victoria PhD in Electrical Engineering, University of Victoria Research Interests: Audio and video signal processing for music and media Software-defined radio and Amateur radio technologies Satellite communication and ground station development Gesture-based interfaces and musical instrument design Error mitigation in streaming audio/video Optical and microwave-photonic systems Labs & Collaborations: Propagation Laboratory (radio wave research) UVic Experimental Radio Group (Amateur radio club) UVic Satellite Design Team (ECOSat projects) UVic Centre for Aerospace Research Grants & Awards: APEGBC Editorial Board Award (2002) Multiple US patents in wireless systems and signal processing
Georg Martius is a Full Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Tübingen's Faculty of Science and a Max Planck Research Group Leader at the MPI for Intelligent Systems. Since April 2023, he has been a core member of the DFG-funded Cluster of Excellence 'Machine Learning: New Perspectives for Science,' which received extended funding through 2032 for its mission to integrate machine learning into fundamental scientific discovery processes. His academic foundation includes a PhD from the University of Göttingen and Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (2005), a Diploma in Computer Science from the University of Leipzig (2003), and a visiting research period at the University of Edinburgh's Division of Informatics. Postdoctoral positions followed at the Max Planck Institutes for Dynamics and Self-Organization (Göttingen, 2009), Mathematics in the Sciences (Leipzig, 2010), and IST Austria (2015). Professor Martius's research pioneers the intersection of reinforcement learning, robotics, and tactile sensing, with emphasis on developing autonomous systems capable of natural locomotion, dexterous manipulation, and physical-world understanding. His work bridges theoretical machine learning with practical hardware applications, particularly in creating differentiable simulators, superresolution tactile sensors, and biologically plausible learning frameworks for robotic control. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in offline reinforcement learning (especially goal-conditioned and diversity-maximization techniques), object-centric representation learning for video understanding, and tactile sensing innovations. A strong thread connects foundation models to world model construction, while his work on differentiable physics engines enables precise collision handling and contact dynamics for real-world robotic control. His leadership roles include directing the Distributed Intelligence research team at Tübingen and contributing to major collaborative initiatives like the Real Robot Challenge and Myochallenge 2022. The Cluster of Excellence appointment represents recognition of his contributions to transforming scientific methodology through machine learning, particularly in automating hypothesis generation and experimental design. Current projects focus on integrating large-scale machine learning with embodied intelligence, advancing tactile perception systems like the Minsight vision-based sensor, and developing neuroplasticity-inspired approaches for robust out-of-distribution detection. His work directly impacts fields requiring physical interaction intelligence, from autonomous navigation to medical robotics, with emphasis on sample-efficient learning from limited real-world data.
