Sean Follmer

Sean Follmer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University's School of Engineering. He leads a research group focused on human-computer interaction with particular emphasis on haptic interfaces, shape-changing displays, and accessibility technologies. His work bridges mechanical engineering principles with interactive systems design to create novel physical interfaces.

Follmer completed his PhD at MIT Media Lab in 2015, where he worked on shape displays and tangible interfaces. His doctoral research laid the foundation for his ongoing work in dynamic physical interfaces that can change form to provide rich haptic feedback and tangible interaction.

His research interests span several interconnected areas: haptic interfaces that provide touch-based feedback in virtual environments; shape-changing displays that dynamically alter their physical form; tangible user interfaces that leverage physical objects for digital interaction; and accessibility technologies, particularly for blind and visually impaired users. Recent work has increasingly focused on making data visualization and educational tools accessible through multimodal and tactile interfaces. His approach often combines mechanical design, control systems, and user-centered design to create systems that extend human perception and interaction capabilities.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward accessibility applications, particularly in education for blind and low-vision users, while maintaining technical depth in haptics and physical interface design. His work on electroadhesion, swarm robotics for haptic feedback, and non-visual interaction techniques demonstrates both theoretical rigor and practical application. The interdisciplinary nature of his research bridges mechanical engineering, computer science, and design.

As a mentor, Follmer has supervised numerous students who have gone on to publish as first authors in top HCI venues. His lab appears to foster collaborative work, with many publications involving multiple students and cross-institutional collaborations. While specific grant information isn't visible in the publication record, the volume and diversity of projects suggest substantial research funding from multiple sources.

Follmer's lab focuses on physical computing and interactive systems, with particular expertise in actuation mechanisms for shape displays, haptic feedback systems, and accessibility technologies. The research group appears to maintain strong connections with both the mechanical engineering and computer science communities, participating in conferences across these domains. Recent work suggests growing interest in the ethical implications of sensory substitution technologies and the social dimensions of interactive systems.