Contact Info
Office
Crerar 365

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:

  1. Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (CMSC 20300, where you build software interfaces)
  2. Inventing and Engineering Interactive Devices (CMSC 23220, where you build hands-on hardware)
  3. 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.

Research

Human Computer Interaction

Exploring the interfaces between people and technologies

Labs & Groups

Human-Computer Integration Lab

Pedro Lopes
Engineering interactive devices that integrate directly with the user’s body as the natural succession to wearable interfaces.

Systems Group

A vibrant, collaborative research community with diverse, synergistic research interests spanning systems, programming languages and software engineering, software and hardware...

CERES Center for Unstoppable Computing

Andrew A. Chien
A dynamic community focused on reducing the fragility and complexity of computing systems, while also increasing their efficiency and lifetime.

Awards & Honors

2023
Best paper award, CHI
Best paper award, Honorable mention, UIST
2022
Alfred P. Sloan research fellowship
Best demo award
Best paper award, Honorable mention, UIST
2021
Best paper award, UIST
Best paper award, CHI
Best demo award, UIST
Best demo award, UIST
Best demo award, CHI
Best paper award, Honorable mention, CHI
2020
Best paper award, UIST
Best paper award, CHI
Best paper award, Honorable mention, CHI
2016
Best paper award, Honorable mention, UIST
2015
Best paper award, CHI

News & Events

UChicago CS News

Enhancing Multitasking Efficiency: The Role of Muscle Stimulation in Reducing Mental Workload

Jul 10, 2024
UChicago CS News

University of Chicago Computer Science Researchers To Present Ten Papers at CHI 2024

May 06, 2024
UChicago CS News

UChicago Computer Scientists Design Small Backpack That Mimics Big Sensations

Sep 11, 2023
UChicago CS News

Computer Science Class Shows Students How To Successfully Create Circuit Boards Without Engineering Experience

May 17, 2023
UChicago CS News

UChicago CS Researchers Shine at CHI 2023 with 12 Papers and Multiple Awards

Apr 19, 2023
Two students looking at a wearable device
UChicago CS News

High School Students Find Their Place in Computing Through Wearables Workshop

Jan 13, 2023
UChicago CS News

UChicago CS Researchers Create Living Smartwatch to Explore Human-Device Relations

Dec 12, 2022
UChicago CS News

The Computing Pipeline: A Foundation for Diversifying Computer Science

Nov 28, 2022
UChicago CS News

UChicago AI Summit Examines Promise and Concerns for Science and Society

Nov 01, 2022
UChicago CS News

Assistant Professor Pedro Lopes Receives Sloan Research Fellowship

Feb 15, 2022
UChicago CS News

Wearable Device That Changes Perception of Softness Wins Best Paper at UIST 2021

Nov 30, 2021
UChicago CS News

New Wearable Device Controls Individual Fingers for Sign Language, Music Applications

Oct 11, 2021
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