The renowned haptics expert will leverage in-depth knowledge to lead the development of the HMI Lab
Montréal, May 3, 2022 — The Innovobot team is pleased to welcome Manuel Cruz as Chief Scientist of Innovobot Labs. Manuel will be responsible for developing our world-class Human Machine Interface (HMI) Lab.
The McGill graduate brings over 25 years of tech industry knowledge, coupled with ground-breaking achievements in Human Machine Interface (HMI) and haptics research. He has developed haptic technologies for the medical, automotive, gaming, XR, and mobility industries. His work has led him to be named as an inventor in over 250 US granted and pending patents in the areas of sensing, actuation, and control.
Manuel’s HMI expertise and R&D creds makes him a perfect fit for Innovobot Labs and our vision of harnessing tech for good. “I have a passion for leading teams and watching them grow as we apply our knowledge to solving complex problems”, says Manuel. That is music to our ears.
As our Chief Scientist, Manuel will develop top-level strategy and establish Innovobot Labs as a go-to resource in the marketplace. In addition to overseeing and supporting all HMI Lab projects, Manuel will build partnerships with various organizations within the private and public sectors, as well as academia. The aim is to provide added-value support to Innovobot’s “techpreneurial” clients and portfolio companies, through a targeted open innovation ecosystem.
Manuel says Innovobot’s unique model as a venture capital provider and hands-on value creator played a big part in his decision to join the team. “We have the Labs and the Fund. They complement each other in helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into products and businesses. We don’t just make a bet and hope. We actively support our bets and win!”.
“The whole team is thrilled at the arrival of Manuel”, says Danny Grant, Ph. D., Innovobot’s Chief Technology Officer. “Manuel is results and solution driven, and his deep expertise, positive energy and joyful mood are contagious and make him a great asset to any team. He is a leader who makes things happen, a proven innovator who will be a fantastic asset to the labs and our portfolio companies.”
“Manuel is an established and admired industry leader in the field of HMI and haptics, his commitment to User Experience (UX) is a great differentiator and an important asset to both Innovobot Labs and our customers”, adds Fadi Albatal, General Manager of Innovobot Labs. Manuel’s proven ability to create truly innovative technology by channeling ideas and insights and translating them into tangible products and solutions will ensure the future growth and success of Innovobot’s HMI Lab.
About Innovobot Labs
Innovobot Labs is an R&D, Engineering and Innovation Design House operated by Innovobot. We tackle pressing problems through the development and application of cutting-edge technologies. Focused on Haptics, Robotics, AI, Advanced Materials and IOT, we provide companies with a framework for open innovation and collaboration, with the goal of creating products, solutions and IP that are commercialization ready.
For more information:
Isabelle Petibon
Marketing Director
ipetibon@innovobot.com
innovobotlabs.com