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About

Walter Daems is a researcher whose work sits at the intersection of ultrasonic sensing, acoustic imaging, and embedded systems, with a particular focus on developing innovative sonar-based solutions for robotics and industrial applications. His research has made significant strides in advancing airborne ultrasound technology, ranging from compact biomimetic platforms to large-scale microphone arrays capable of high-resolution 3D imaging. Among his most notable contributions is the AirleakSlam system, which leverages passive ultrasonic sensors to autonomously detect and localize pressurized air leaks—a critical industrial problem responsible for up to one-third of compressed air network energy losses. His work on the HiRIS sensor, featuring an impressive 1024-channel microphone array, pushes the boundaries of airborne acoustic imaging for robotics in demanding environments. Daems has also championed biologically inspired approaches, drawing on bat-echolocation principles to create flexible, low-cost sonar platforms suited for autonomous navigation in complex spaces. With publications garnering citations across the robotics and sensor engineering communities, and contributions spanning GPU-accelerated real-time sonar processing to novel sensor network architectures, Daems has established himself as a creative and practically minded innovator in ultrasonic sensing and intelligent robotic perception.