On 23 May the Técnico community celebrates “Dia do Técnico 2025” with the solemn ceremony of the 114th anniversary of Instituto Superior Técnico and a series of events throughout the day at the Técnico Innovation Center. As a part of the celebrations an Award Ceremony will take place, to award “IST Distinguished Professor 2025“. One of our own researchers has been graced with this distinction: José Santos-Victor.
With a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Técnico, in collaboration with the University of Genoa (1995), Professor Santos-Victor has been a full professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering since 2010. His research focuses on robotics, computer vision, and learning systems, emphasizing biologically inspired approaches to perception and cognition. He has played a pioneering role in Portugal by modelling biological systems alongside developing humanoid robots with human-like learning capabilities.
Some of his landmark contributions include:
- Using artificial vision for robot navigation, applying closed-loop video-based control, and exploring specialized visual geometries like omnidirectional cameras mirror the evolutionary adaptations of biological visual systems;
- Collaborative research with neuroscientists and developmental psychologists on sensorimotor coordination and learning, integrating concepts like mirror neurons and object affordances to enhance robot cognition and interaction.
Santos-Victor founded the Computer Vision and Robotics Lab (VisLab) at ISR-Lisboa, where he has led international research in cognitive robotics and biological perception systems. His team developed advanced robotic platforms such as iCub (“Chico”) and the social robot Vizzy, leading over 15 European research projects.
Professor Santos-Victor has supervised 24 PhD students of 10 nationalities, with many holding joint degrees with top international universities. His international reputation is evidenced by over 250 publications, three Best Paper Awards, and his inclusion in Stanford’s World’s Top 2% Most Influential Scientists rankings for multiple years.
He was instrumental in Técnico’s internationalization, serving as the first Vice President for International Affairs (2006–2015). He also led initiatives such as the introduction of English-taught Master programs and partnerships through the CLUSTER network and KIC InnoEnergy, fostering dual-degree programs and global research collaborations.
Professor Santos-Victor has also held numerous leadership roles:
- President of ISR-Lisboa and the LARSyS Associate laboratory;
- Coordinator of evaluations and strategic plans that maintained LARSyS’s “Excellent” rating;
- Director of the pioneering International Doctoral Program in Robotics, Brain and Cognition;
- Leader of the CRAIn project under Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan;
- National delegate to ESA’s robotic exploration program.
He is a Fellow of the IEEE (the only one in Portugal in the field of robotics), ELLIS fellow, a corresponding member of Academia de Ciências de Lisboa, and part of editorial boards and technical committees for top journals and conferences.
