I’m a passionate maker and tinkerer. I graduated from University of Twente in 2005 with an MSc in Mechatronics, continuing research on the design of a pipe inspection robot (for which I made extensive use of digital fabrication), obtaining my PhD in 2014 - and currently work as assistant professor in the Robotics and Mechatronics group, teaching in the Interaction Technology programme. I have a fascination for robotics and have worked on several projects involving (autonomous) robots, both from an engineering and artistic interest.
In 2006 I started my company ‘Kunst- en Techniekwerk’ (making art work) and have been providing animatronics and engineering for movie, art-projects, sculpture and theatre - ranging from dancing humanoids, robot-arms for sci-fi movies, animatronics and autonomous GPS track drawing robots, and also realising various autonomous artworks, moving sculptures and installations for festivals and exhibitions. I have been playing the piano for (improv) theatre and performed professionally with groups as D.I.T (Amsterdam) and L.T.S. (London).
In 2010 I co-founded the Assortimens foundation, running a FabLab inspired workshop for people with ASD. We have a strong link with FabLab Amersfoort - and were present at Fab6 (still got the thermos and laser-cut ‘bag’) Although we did not open publicly, we obtained our license through ‘FabLab Benelux’ for our 2014-2016 ‘children’s FabLab’ project in our neighbourhood, aimed at children from lower-income households. Currently we are setting up a space for public access as Fablab Oldenzaal, our current location. With my Robot Theatre Lab I am currently developing robotics for theatre (and using theatre to develop robots). With my abilitytech lab project I am working on developing helpful technology for people with disabilities as Citizen Science Hub.