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Resource Person - Prof. Robert J. Stone - UK

Name: Prof. Robert J. Stone

Country:  United Kingdom (UK), England 

Qualification: B.sc, M.sc

Designation:  Emeritus Professor

Company: University of Birmingham


Description: 

Prof. Robert J. Stone was connected with International Fovea-z Biomedical Since June 2024, Bob was an XR (Extended Reality) pioneer with an impressive 37-year career, has left an indelible mark on both the academic and commercial realms of virtual and augmented technologies. With 17 years in the commercial and industrial XR sector and two decades as a Full Chair Professor (now Emeritus) at the University of Birmingham, Bob’s expertise spans the defense, healthcare, and heritage sectors. In 2024, he earned the honor of being among the first inductees into the prestigious AWE XR Hall of Fame, a testament to his contributions to the field. 


Bob’s early career focused on Human Factors for teleoperated subsea, nuclear, and space systems, working with the UK’s National Advanced Robotics Research Centre. One of Europe’s first to experience NASA’s VR VIEW system in 1987, Bob soon led the UK’s first industrial VR team, pioneering VR technologies like the tactile feedback glove, "Teletact," in 1990, and developing the MIST simulator for keyhole surgery, a revolutionary tool in medical training for over a decade. His influence extended globally—he became an Academician of Russia's Higher Education Academy of Sciences in 1996 and was lauded by the Cosmonaut Training Centre’s Director for introducing VR to Russian space training.


Bob’s work in XR and Human-Centered Design spans consultancy roles, and he is a Chartered Psychologist and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors. His groundbreaking initiatives include the UK’s first industrial VR collaboration, uniting 20 companies to explore immersive technologies in real-world applications. His dedication to defense technology and medical XR applications is evidenced by his tenure as Research Director of the UK Human Factors Integration Defence Technology Centre, where his team developed XR applications for defense medical training, IED disposal, and command systems. 


He also collaborates with the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, advancing XR applications in military medic training, rehabilitation, and patient care. Virtual Heritage remains his passion; Bob’s team has led projects like the Virtual Mayflower & 1620s Barbican Project and innovative VR archaeology efforts. With numerous awards, including the MoD Chief Scientific Adviser’s Commendation for his defense science contributions, Bob’s legacy continues to inspire the next frontier of XR advancements across industries.

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