Luke Vink

Stanford University, Eindhoven University of Technology

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Luke Vink’s research lies at the intersection of human-computer interaction, robotics, and tangible interfaces, with a particular focus on making technology more intuitive and accessible for everyday users. His most notable contribution is the development of *Drone.io*, a pioneering system that introduces a gestural and visual interface for human-drone interaction. By projecting a body-centric graphical user interface onto the user’s environment, Vink enabled people to control drones with simple hand gestures, transforming drones from passive tools into interactive companions. This work, published in 2019, has garnered 59 citations and is widely recognized for advancing the field of drone-based user interfaces, with applications ranging from aerial photography to assistive technology. Earlier in his career, Vink explored child-robot interaction with *Floffy*, an outdoor robot designed to engage children in playful, exploratory learning. Though less cited, this project reflects his ongoing commitment to designing technology that is not only functional but also emotionally resonant. Vink’s work has been presented at top-tier venues like CHI and UIST, and his innovative approach continues to inspire new directions in human-robot collaboration.