Making a skeleton dance – picture by Julia Blaukopf (2010)

I’m a passionate maker and tinkerer. I graduated from University of Twente in 2005 with an MSc in Mechatronics, continuing research at the Robotics and Mechatronics group on the design of a pipe inspection robot, obtaining my PhD in 2014. I have a fascination for robotics and have worked on several projects involving (autonomous) robots, both from an engineering and artistic interest.

Since 2006 I have started my company ‘Kunst- en Techniekwerk’ (making art work) for providing the technical backbone in art-projects, ranging from dancing animatronic humanoids, robot-arms for sci-fi movies to autonomous GPS track drawing robots, and also realising various autonomous artworks, big moving sculptures and weird installations for festivals and exhibitions. Together with ARE holland I am co-host/curator for exhibition space XPO in Enschede.

Besides technical work, I like to play the piano and (double)bass. I have been playing the piano for (improv) theatre and performed professionally with groups as D.I.T (Amsterdam) and L.T.S. (London). Currently I am one of the regular musicians for ‘TheaterZaken’.

In 2008 I started (part-time) at the University of Twente as researcher/teacher for Creative Technology programme, developing and teaching courses in programming, physical computing, sensor technology, robotics, tinkering and explorative design. In 2013 I co-founded the ASSortiMENS foundation, running a FabLab inspired workshop tailored to people with autism, including a children’s FabLab project. I am also a certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator.

I am passionate about making and being a ‘maker’, experienced using digital fabrication technology (CAD, 3D printing, laser cutting) and electronics manufacturing. I have my own tiny workshop in which I build stuff, but also record (educational) videos.

My current workshop – picture by Andre Smits for his Artists In The World project (2020)

I enjoy collaborating with (other) creatives, so I have been a participant at MediaMatic’s RFID hacker camps and a regular contributor to GogBot Enschede. Also as speaker or workshop leader, I have been invited to speak at TEDx Amsterdam (2012), TEDx Zwolle (2013), Maker Faire Eindhoven, events at De Waag, DesignLab (UTwente). I was co-organiser of MakerFaire Twente in 2013. Occasionally I like to write for other makers, for example in Make Magazine and the Makezine blog. I blog about my own small DIY projects at retrointerfacing.com and maintain all documentation at a wiki.

Online you can find me on vimeo and facebook and professionally on linkedIn, ResearchGate and Google Scholar.