Irene Kuling

Irene Kuling is an Assistant Professor in Haptics and Soft Robotics at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), affiliated with the Robotics department under the Mechanical Engineering school. Her research focuses on haptic feedback systems, soft robotics, and human-robot interaction.

• PhD from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2016)
• NWO Rubicon Grant recipient (2016-2019)
• Postdoc at Université Catholique de Louvain (2019)
• Assistant Professor at TU/e since 2020

Her work bridges mechanical engineering and human perception through soft robotic actuators like Pneumatic Unit Cells (PUCs), with applications in:

• Virtual Reality haptic interfaces
• Teleoperation system design
• Extensible actuator kinematics
• Human-in-the-loop engineering frameworks

Recent publications demonstrate expertise in:

• Soft silicone fabrication techniques
• Dynamic characterization of PUC actuators
• Kinematic modeling for trajectory tracking
• Comparative analysis of haptic feedback modalities

She has received the NWO Rubicon Grant for postdoctoral research and teaches courses on:

• Haptics - perception and technology
• Human-in-the-loop engineering
• Mechanical engineering fundamentals