Iain Anderson

Iain Anderson is Group Leader for the Biomimetics Laboratory of the Auckland Bioengineering Institute. Iain completed his PhD (Engineering Science, University of Auckland) in 1996, and has worked as a whiteware product designer (Fisher and Paykel Ind.), a vibrations consulting engineer (NZ Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) and a research scientist associated with hip and knee implant design and surgery (Industrial Research Ltd., New Zealand). In 2000, Iain returned to the Department of Engineering Science as a staff member, and was one of the founding members of the Auckland Bioengineering Institute. Iain’s interest in artificial muscles led to the formation of the Biomimetics Laboratory in 2004. The lab’s research is currently focused on the control and self-sensing of artificial muscles and artificial muscle energy harvesting. Iain is involved in two Biomimetics Lab spin-out companies: StretchSense (2012) and PowerOn Ltd. (2019). StretchSense produces motion-capture gloves using soft elastomer dielectric elastomer sensors. PowerOn is commercializing the lab’s electroactive polymer actuator technology. For his efforts in developing and commercializing electroactive polymer technology he was awarded the Royal Society of New Zealand’s 2016 Pickering Medal.