Cock Heemskerk

Cock Heemskerk serves as a Lecturer in Robotics at Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Alkmaar campus since May 2016, operating under the Research and Innovation Centre for Technology, Design and Computer Science (RIC-TOI). He collaborates across Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science programs to integrate robotics into technical curricula through applied research.

His educational foundation includes a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Delft University of Technology (1990) on industrial robot assembly, an MSc from the same institution (1985), and a visiting scientist role at Carnegie Mellon University (1985-1986).

• Delft University of Technology: MSc Mechanical Engineering (1985)
• Delft University of Technology: PhD Robotics (1990)
• Carnegie Mellon University: Visiting Scientist (1985-1986)

Dr. Heemskerk's research centers on practical robotics implementation with dual emphases: healthcare applications (including a care robot developed since 2014 through his consultancy HIT) and agricultural robotics for sustainable farming. His work uniquely bridges Technology, Design and Computer Science (TOI) with Health, Sport and Welfare (GSW), Agri, Food & Life Sciences (AFL), and Business domains through projects like HiPerGreen. Key cross-cutting themes include sustainability, human-robot collaboration, and field-deployable solutions for real-world problems.

Analysis of his 2017-2019 publications reveals a concentrated focus on agricultural robotics, particularly Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for greenhouse crop monitoring. These works demonstrate a strategic shift toward practice-oriented validation of robotics in horticulture, with strong emphasis on data transmission, storage, and UAS navigation in confined environments. Concurrently, his educational contributions explore robotics' role in developing 21st-century technical skills.

Students engage through internships, graduation projects, and design assignments within his Robotics knowledge circle, while industry partnerships drive innovation in healthcare and agricultural robotics applications. Government collaboration is exemplified by the Ministry of Agriculture's working visit regarding his input on the "Robots to Farming Practice" innovation program.

The Robotics lectureship operates within RIC-TOI as a multidisciplinary hub connecting Terra Technica and other platforms, with current projects including HiPerGreen, KIEM 21st Century Skills, and SCOUT focusing on field validation of robotic systems.