Jan B.F. van Erp
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RESEARCH AREA
I believe that technology should support our performance, safety, well-being and our strive for happiness. Therefore, I work on Human-Technology Symbiosis. I am fascinated by advanced ICT as well as by the complexity of the human brain and body and I try to realize breakthroughs where they come together. Examples include brain computer interfaces, multi-sensory user interfaces, human-controlled robotics, visualization of big data, and the relation between the microbiome-gut-brain axis and cognition. For human-controlled robotic, we aim to break the barriers of distance and to transport the operator's social and functional self to any fit for-purpose avatar at any place on Earth through a compelling combination of state-of-the-art social, visual, haptic, audio and olfactory technologies. By studying the microbiome-gut-brain axis we intend to discovery the mechanistic way they influence each other, ultimately leading to interventions that prevent cognitive decline caused by aging, disease or external stressors and/or facilitate cognitive enhancement for people working at the edge of their capabilities. This research area is relevant in health and disease and links the TNO units Healthy Leaving, ICT, and Defence, Safety & Security.
RECENT RESULTS
In the area of telepresence robotics, multisensory experience, and mediated social interaction we realized breakthroughs in control of an avatar, embodiment, and mediation of social cues and we added bimanual control to our telepresence setup. The knowledge on multisensory experience is applied in the xprize avatar competition and social extended reality pilots where we focus on increasing user experience.
In the area of (mediated) social touch, we continued to build our knowledgebase on robot-initiated social touch, and on electroactive polymers as advanced touch displays. We also advance the field by coordinating the Dutch society for the advancement of social touch and as lead guest editor for a Frontiers special issue on social touch (to be published in 2021).
In the area of physiological computing, we develop innovative knowledge and technologies in the area of hyperscanning. We started a new PhD project, published high impact papers, and hope to attract new funding in 2021 through a new NWA proposal currently under development.
In the area of body-brain interactions, we published a first paper on the interaction of multiple external stressors on cognitive performance. We embed the results in our activities for two NATO RTO activities on neuroenhancement and microbiome applications.
- Winner most innovative project award of Innovember with xprize avatar
- Winner best poster award IEEE VR conference with social presence questionnaire
PHD SUPERVISION
- Daisuke Kaneko (Kikkoman Europe R&D)
- Ward Venrooij (TNO employee)
- Ivo Stuhldreher (TNO employee)
- Charelle Bottenheft (TNO employee)
- Sara Falcone (University of Twente and TNO ERP)
- Judith Weda (European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme)
- Camille Sallaberry (University of Twente and TNO ERP)
TOP PUBLICATIONS
- Willemse, C.J.A.M. & Van Erp, J.B.F. (2019). Social Touch in Human-Robot Interaction: Robot-initiated touches can induce positive responses without extensive prior bonding. International Journal of Social Robotics, 11(2), 285–304. doi: 10.1007/s12369-018-0500-9.
- Kaneko, D., Toet, A., Brouwer, A.-M., Kallen, V. & Van Erp, J.B.F. (2018). Methods for evaluating emotions evoked by food experiences: A literature review. Frontiers in Psychology, 9:911. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00911.
- De Dieuleveult, A.L., Siemonsma, P.C., Van Erp, J.B.F. & Brouwer, A.-M. (2017). Multisensory integration: a systematic review on age related changes and activities of daily life. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00080
LINKS
- University of Twente: https://www.utwente.nl/en/eemcs/hmi/hmi-people-pages/hmi-profile-pages/janvanerpprofile/
- LinkedIn profile: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/janvanerp
- Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=3W1xn9EAAAAJ
- ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6511-2850
- TNO repository: https://repository.tudelft.nl/search/tno/?q=creator%3A%22Erp%2C%20J.B.F.%20van%22
- Prints of my inaugural lecture: https://doc.utwente.nl/99775/ (in Dutch only)
I also work with artists and try to involve the general public in the discussion on technological advancements and what these may mean for human kind. Popular topics in this regard are Human-Robot Interaction, Intelligent Agents, Brain-Computer Interfaces and Cyborgs. Interested in the kind of things I do without reading scientific publications? Pick any of the events to get an idea:
- The emotional brain (https://todaysart.nl/2015/symposium/hack-the-body/)
- Cyborgs (https://dezwijger.nl/programma/hack-the-body)
- Intimate Technology: (https://www.utwente.nl/en/events/!/2017/10/190707/thingscon-salon-twente-intimate-technology)
- Creativity (with novelist Arnon Grunberg, https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/video/576685-in-het-brein-van-arnon-grunberg.html)
- Mobile Technology changing our lives (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czLfc60OBuA)
- Group emotions and wearables(with artist Nick Verstand https://www.facebook.com/events/1248998365120677/)
- LOWLANDS University 2014 (45-minutes recording in Dutch) can be found at www.coolpolitics.nl.
- National Science Show “the future is fantastic” on human sense: www.vpro.nl/programmas/de-toekomst-is-fantastisch/kijk/afleveringen/aflevering-4.html.