Prof. Francis wyffels, PhD

Francis wyffels is a professor of machine learning and robotics. Together with Prof. Joni Dambre and Prof. Tony Belpaeme, he leads IDLab–AIRO at Ghent University, affiliated with imec. Over the last decade, he has built expertise in robotics, embodied AI, and unconventional computing with both (living) plants and robots. Within IDLab–AIRO, his interdisciplinary research focuses on closing the dexterity gap that prevents robotic manipulation from extending beyond structured industrial cells into dynamic, human-rich environments.

A central thread is the robot helper research line, a manipulation platform aimed at performing varied tasks on heterogeneous, hard-to-handle objects in everyday settings, with research spanning sensing, representations, policies, and control. The interplay between robot morphology and these manipulation capabilities remains a recurring concern in his work.

At Ghent University, Francis wyffels teaches several courses, with topics including microcontrollers and intelligent robot manipulation.

He is also a strong believer in dissemination activities, for which he has been awarded the UGent Hermes Award for public/scientific engagement and knowledge transfer, as well as the Google RISE Award. As chairman of Dwengo (a non-profit organisation), and through international projects with children, students, and schools, he aims to give a more realistic perspective on what robotics can achieve and reduce the almost innate fear of robotics. These projects also form the basis for AIRO’s didactical research on STEAM education.