Dr. Jordi Albo-Canals is a roboticist and academic entrepreneur focused on human behavior modeling, human–robot interaction, and emotion AI. As Co-Founder & Chief Science Officer of Lighthouse -Disruptive Innovation Group, he translates responsible research into products across all industries but with special focus on healthtech and edtech, and develops behavioral-intelligence methods to manage risk and uncertainty in innovation. In collaboration with Barcelona’s Children Hospital - Sant Joan de Deu Innovation, where projects such as Emotional Navigation 4 Kids and AICCELERATE use social robots to connect patients, families, and care teams. Previously, he worked with the MIT Media Lab’s Personal Robots Group and Tufts University, co-founded the New Friends conference, and led initiatives including CORP and WeShareCare. He also led The Robotics Lab at NTT DATA and La Salle - Ramon Llull University. Honors include the 2012 local Alan Turing Award, RO-MAN 2015 Best Paper, and participate in the Spain’s 2022 Best AI-Compliance Project.
Assoc. Prof. Marcel Heerink is a Dutch researcher, author, and ethical philosopher recognized for his pioneering work on social robotics for vulnerable populations. His research integrates empirical science, Buddhist ethics, and practical applications in healthcare and education.
Currently serving at Saxion University's Ethics and Technology ResearchGroup, Heerink has led research teams at Windesheim University, focusingon social robots in therapeutic contexts with elderly individuals, people withdementia, children with autism, and long-term hospitalized children.
Heerink earned his PhD from the University of Amsterdam in 2010 with a dissertation on robot acceptance that introduced the Almere Model for technology acceptance. This framework, which incorporates social dimensions such as trust, social presence, and enjoyment, has become foundational in human-robot interaction research.
He argues that robots should facilitate genuine human care rather than replace it, positioning "suspension of disbelief" as central to beneficial human-robot interaction. In his view, humans' capacity for compassion and imagination represents strengths that technology should enhance.
Daniel J. Hannon, Ph.D. is a Psychologist and Professor of the Practice in Mechanical Engineering at Tufts University. As a professor, his domain is in Human Factors Engineering, in which he teaches in Data Science, Human-Machine Systems, and Assistive Device Design. As a mental health provider, his practice focuses in particular on the mental health needs of people of all ages on the Autism Spectrum, utilizing educational technology and social robotics to promote socialization and to develop frustration tolerance. His research includes work in vision science, applications of machine learning to understanding the aging brain, human-machine teaming, and various applications in transportation safety, medical and consumer product design and safety, social robotics and educational technology. Dr. Hannon earned his PhD from Brown University in Providence, RI.
Prof. Víctor López Cabrera is a Full Professor at the Technological University of Panama (UTP), Faculty of Computer Systems Engineering. He holds a degree in Computer Systems Engineering (UTP) and an M.Sc. in Computer Science (University of South Carolina, USA). Completed doctoral studies in Computer Science (University of North Texas, USA) and Project Engineering (Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain). He brings more than 35 years of academic and professional experience in AI, databases, collaborative systems, telemedicine, social robotics, digital health, and Global Software Development.
He is the Founder of the first Internet node in Panama, contributing to national connectivity and digital transformation. Víctor has collaborated on international initiatives supported by the National Science Foundation (USA), the OAS, and Latin American research networks. He is an Advisor and innovation leader in BIOS Softwares, Aiyon Consulting, Genos Global, Domotik, IQHomes, SmileWay, Digital Dreams, Silver Guardian, X Financial Reports, and Maxia Latam.
Recognized for contribution in digital health, entrepreneurship, and applied research in emerging technologies, Víctor focuses on Computer Social Literacy for older adults and the Silver Economy applying AI to foster inclusion and innovation.
Prof. Chris Krägeloh, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology at Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. His research focuses on the psychosocial and ethical aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) and social robotics, particularly investigating human attitudes toward intelligent systems, including issues of acceptance and acceptability. He is a founding member of the Psychosocial Aspects in Robotics (PAIR) Lab. Chris also conducts empirical and conceptual research in mindfulness and health outcome measurement. Chris has authored more than 150 journal articles and several books, including Mindfulness-Based Intervention Research, and co-edited major reference works such as the International Handbook of Behavioral Health Assessment. He serves as joint Editor-in-Chief of Mindfulness (Springer Nature), the leading journal in the field, and is co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of the newly launched Journal of Psychology & AI (Taylor & Francis).
Dr. Irene Maxine Pepperberg (born April 1, 1949) is an American scientist noted for her studies in animal cognition, particularly in relation to parrots. She has been a professor, researcher and/or lecturer at multiple universities, and she is currently an Adjunct Research Professor at Boston University.[1] Pepperberg also serves on the Advisory Council of METI (Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence). She is well known for her comparative studies into the cognitive fundamentals of language and communication, and she was one of the first to work on language learning in animals other than primate species (exemplified by the Washoe project), by extension to a bird species. Pepperberg is also active in wildlife conservation, especially in relation to parrots.
Professor Al-Jumaily, is the founder and Director of AUT’s Institute of Biomedical Technologies. At AUT, he fosters among IBTec researchers and bioengineering students at School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences in general.
He is the Editor-in-Chief of the ASME Journal of Engineering and Science in Medical Diagnostics and Therapy, the Editor for the ASME monograph series-Biomedical and Nanomedical Technologies and has been on the editorial and refereeing boards for several international journals. He has published more than 360 papers in international journals and conference proceedings including two ASME books on Vibration and Acoustics in Biomedical Applications and a third one on CPAP devices.
Professor Al-Jumaily has supervised more than 100 successful postgraduate students from 35 countries in biomedical applications, vibrations, ultrasound, biomechanics, and electroactive polymers and counts this as one of his greatest achievements. During his academic career, he has forged strong alliances between academia and industries; in particular, in the medical devices area, which has resulted in many successful grants and contracts with companies and research organizations. Al-Jumaily’s current research focuses on biomedical applications; particular interest in the application of vibration and acoustics to airways constriction therapies and artery non-invasive diagnostics.
Loulin Huang is a professor of Robotics and Mechatronics at Auckland University of Technology. He obtained Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology (China), a Master's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Nanyang Technology University (Singapore), and a PhD degree from the National University of Singapore. He has over 35 years of experience in research and teaching in the areas of robotics and mechatronics. He has completed more than thirty industrial or government-funded projects in a wide range of industrial applications and have authored more than 140 research publications.
Oleg N. Medvedev, PhD is an Associate Professor at the University of Waikato, New Zealand. His research focuses on applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms to health and developmental psychology. Oleg investigates complex psychological, neurological, and immunological processes employing AI and ML to develop predictive models for cognitive decline and stroke risks. He has authored over 160 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 30 book chapters and is co-author of Mindfulness-Based Intervention Research: Characteristics, Approaches, and Developments and co-editor of International Handbook of Behavioral Health Assessment. Oleg is joint Editor-in-Chief of two international journals Mindfulness and Journal of Psychology and AI.
Prof. Humberto Rodriguez is from Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá (UTP), with MS in Mechanical Eng. and a Doctorate degree in Robotics and Computer Vision from Polytechnical University of Madrid, Spain. He is a Full professor and researcher at the Mechanical Engineering Department of UTP in Robotics, Computer Vision, Manufacturing and Industrial Processes Control and Automation. He was a research director at UTP and present director of the Manufacturing Center for Innovation, which focuses on providing support to entrepreneurs through product development, incubation and technical training.
Humberto is the Co-Founder of Cobots Lab, a member of Flying Labs global network, specializing in the formulation and execution of social innovation projects in the fields of STEM education, agriculture, environment and health using robotic autonomous vehicles.
His current research focuses on the design and control of exoskeletons and bionic arms, swarm robots applications, robotic systems for mangrove reforestation, and Intelligent Interfaces for Post- Stroke Rehabilitation and Engineering Education (ERASMUS Society and Business Centric Education through Sustainable and Smart Co-production - SUCCESS).
Prof. Ing. Karla Arosemena is the Director of International Relations and a Professor, Computer Systems Engineering at Universidad Tecnológicade Panamá. She is an experienced IT and higher education professional with extensive expertise in computer systems, web development, project management, and educational innovation. Currently, as a Director of International Relations at the Technological University of Panama (UTP), she is leading international cooperation initiatives and foster global academic partnerships. Previously, she directed the Office of Innovation and Educational Technology, where she spearheaded the university’s first institutional assessment of teachers’ digital competencies under the European DigCompEdu framework, promoting strategic capacity-building in digital education.
As a Professor in Computer Science, she teaches Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and IT Project Management, emphasizing user-centered design, usability, and interactive systems development. Previously, she served as Vice President for Technology and Innovation at Tocumen International Airport, overseeing IT infrastructure projects that enhanced operational efficiency and passenger experience. She is an active member of professional organizations such as IEEE, PMI, and ACM, and currently serve as President of the IEEE Computer Society Panama Chapter, promoting technological advancement and professional collaboration in Computing.
Prof. Ilka A. Banfield iElectromechanical engineer with more than 15 years of experience in industrial automation, advanced control, and technological development. She has participated in innovative projects in collaboration with the productive sector, focusing on process improvement, energy efficiency, and technology transfer. She has also served technical consulting committees in manufacturing companies and development organizations.
Active contributor to the advancement of scientific and research initiatives in engineering. Leader and collaborator in research projects in the fields of control, automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Serves on the Organizing Committee of the Latin American Congress on Automation and Robotics (LACAR) and on the Scientific Committee of The International Conference Series on Climbing and Walking Robots and the Support Technologies for Mobile Machines (CLAWAR).