David Hardman

David Hardman

Robotics JRF

University of Cambridge

Biography

I’m a Henslow Junior Research Fellow (JRF) in robotics at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. Most of my days are spent building tactile sensors and artificial skins in Cambridge’s Bio-Inspired Robotics Laboratory, where I am an affiliated lecturer and hold an EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship.

During my PhD I also worked as a visiting researcher in EPFL’s CREATE Lab, and in TTP’s surgical team.

In my spare time I enjoy playing badminton and tennis, and I’m a member of the world-famous Magic Circle.

Interests
  • Mechatronics & soft robotics
  • Tactile perception & artificial skins
  • Medical automation
  • Additive manufacturing
  • Large-scale experimentation
Education
  • PhD in Bio-Inspired Robotics, 2020-2024

    University of Cambridge

  • MEng in Mechanics, Materials and Design, 2019-2020

    University of Cambridge

  • BA in Engineering, 2016-2019

    University of Cambridge

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
Junior Research Fellow
Oct 2024 – Present Cambridge
 
 
 
 
 
Bio-Inspired Robotics Laboratory
EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellow
Oct 2024 – Present University of Cambridge
 
 
 
 
 
Computational Robot Design & Fabrication Lab
Visiting Researcher
Jun 2024 – Sep 2024 EPFL
 
 
 
 
 
Bio-Inspired Robotics Laboratory
PhD Student
Oct 2020 – Jun 2024 University of Cambridge
 
 
 
 
 
The Technology Partnership
Consultant (Health Tech)
Mar 2023 – Jun 2023 Cambridge
 
 
 
 
 
Cambridge Centre for International Research
Teaching Assistant
Jun 2021 – Jul 2022 Cambridge
 
 
 
 
 
Bio-Inspired Robotics Laboratory
Undergraduate Researcher
Jul 2019 – Sep 2019 University of Cambridge
 
 
 
 
 
Densitron Technologies Ltd
Engineering Intern
Jul 2017 – Dec 2017 Sevenoaks
 
 
 
 
 
Kumon UK
Tutor
Mar 2013 – Sep 2016 Tonbridge

Publications

(2026). Touch with Insight - Physics-Aware Data-Driven Learning for EIT-Based Tactile Sensing. In ICRA 2026.

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(2026). The Language of Deformation - Semantic Failure Analysis as a Prerequisite for Dexterous Manipulation of Deformable Objects. In ERF 2026.

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(2025). In-Situ Classification of Soil Types Exploiting Electrical Impedance Tomography with a Robotic Actuating Probe. In IROS 2025.

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(2025). Enhancing Electrical Impedance Based Deformation Sensing with Dielectric Current Guide. In Adv. Electron. Mater..

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(2025). Automated Benchmarking of Variable-Property Soft Robotic Fingertips to Enable Task-Optimized Sensor Selection. In Adv. Sci...

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