Ivan Poupyrev

Google (United States), Walt Disney (United States)

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Ivan Poupyrev is a pioneering researcher in human-computer interaction, best known for his groundbreaking work on radar-based sensing and interactive robotics. His key research areas include novel human-machine interfaces, ubiquitous computing, and expressive robotic design. Poupyrev’s most significant contribution is the development of **Project Soli**, a tiny 60GHz radar sensor that enables touchless gesture control for IoT devices—a paradigm shift in how humans interact with machines. This work, detailed in his highly cited 2021 paper (40 citations), demonstrates how radar can make systems “see, hear, and feel” intuitively, eliminating the need for physical contact. Beyond Soli, Poupyrev explored robotic expression with **Papillon** (2013), a technology for designing highly animated eyes that enhance face-to-face communication in robots and toys. He also advanced safety in robotics by embedding radars for obstacle detection (2017). With over 40 citations on his flagship work alone, Poupyrev’s innovations have influenced both academic research and commercial product development, cementing his role as a visionary in creating seamless, intelligent interfaces for the Internet of Things and beyond.