Iain Anderson

Iain Anderson is a Professor at the University of Auckland affiliated with the Auckland Bioengineering Institute and College of Engineering Science and Biomedical Engineering. As Group Leader of the Biomimetics Laboratory, he specializes in dielectric elastomer technologies for soft robotics, haptic interfaces, and underwater applications. His work bridges academic research and commercialization through spin-out companies StretchSense (2012) and PowerOn Ltd. (2019).

Research Interests include:

• Dielectric Elastomer Switches for electric power switching
• Haptic Feedback Systems in motion-capture gloves
• Underwater Applications for electroactive polymers (diver-robot communication, hydrodynamic sensing)

Scientific Recognition:

• Royal Society of New Zealand’s 2016 Pickering Medal for electroactive polymer innovation

Supervision:

• Primary supervisor for 6 PhD candidates in polymer robotics, underwater sensing, and MAOI pharmacology
• Co-supervisor for 2 additional PhD projects