I do deep tech startups, based in Zurich, Switzerland. Most of this work occurs at the interface between neuroscience, engineering, and human-computer interaction.
I co-founded iniVation (recently acquired by SynSense), which produces ultra-high-performance vision sensors and software for automation, robotics, consumer electronics, and aerospace. Our co-founders invented the field of event-based neuromorphic vision. We helped send the first neuromorphic technology into space in 2021, and we have sold products to 700+ customers in 40+ countries. Awards we have received include a CES Best of Innovation Award (2020), a Red Dot Design Award (2022), and the 2023 Global Australian Award in the category of technology and entrepreneurship.
My other current roles include co-founder and board member at iniLabs (neuromorphic tech incubator), and co-founder and advisor at QuantActions. An earlier startup YouRehab was acquired by Reha-Stim. The various ventures have raised over $20M in research and venture funding during my involvement. Occasionally I help to coach startup cases at the University of Zurich Digital Entrepreneurship center, and I am an accredited startup coach for the Swiss national innovation agency Innosuisse. I am also a member of the University of Zurich Innovation Council, a founding co-director of the Misha Mahowald Prize for Neuromorphic Engineering, and an advisor for Karuna VR.
Previously, I ran a research group at Institute of Neuroinformatics at the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich. We investigated the neuroscience and medical applications of VR (45+ peer-reviewed scientific articles, 5 patents). I served on the board of the International Society for Virtual Rehabilitation from 2012 to 2017, and was general chair of the 2011 International Conference on Virtual Rehabilitation.
Before entering research, I was a design engineer at ABB and Alstom, working on maximizing the lifetime of high-temperature components and accelerating analysis methods for high-efficiency gas turbines. I was also a partner at a software consultancy, developing IT systems including infrastructure asset management and scoring of diving competitions (used twice at the Australian national championships in the 1990s). My first job was at a partner of Telstra designing the national telecommunications fault management system. I interned at General Motors Australia during my studies.
I obtained degrees in science (computer science, applied mathematics) and mechanical engineering at Monash University in my home town of Melbourne, and a PhD from the ETH Zurich. I am a Senior member of the IEEE.