Pedro Lopes is an Associate Professor in Computer Science at the University of Chicago. Pedro focuses on integrating interfaces with the human body—exploring the interface paradigm that supersedes wearables. These include: muscle stimulation wearables that allow users to manipulate tools they have never seen before or that accelerate reaction time, or a device that leverages the smell to create an illusion of temperature.
Pedro’s work has received several academic awards, such as six CHI/UIST Best Papers, Sloan Fellowship and NSF CAREER, and captured the interest of the public (e.g., New York Times, exhibited at Ars Electronica, etc.; more: https://lab.plopes.org).
Research
Focus Areas: Human Computer Interaction, Virtual + Augmented Reality, Wearable Computing
My lab have been exploring how body-device integration allows us to engineer interactive devices that intentionally borrow parts of the body for input and output, rather than adding more technology to the body. You can see our work at lab.plopes.org.
Courses taught by Pedro:
- Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (CMSC 20300, where you build software interfaces)
- Inventing and Engineering Interactive Devices (CMSC 23220, where you build hands-on hardware)
- Engineering Interactive Electronics onto Printed Circuit Boards (CMSC 23230/33230, where you design advanced circuits that are professionally manufactured)
See detailed course descriptions and which courses are currently active here.
