PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Kevin Warwick

Kevin Warwick is a cybernetics researcher whose work linked artificial intelligence with robot control and human–computer interfaces. Born in Coventry in 1954, he studied electrical and electronic engineering at Aston and earned a PhD at Imperial before developing AI-controlled robotics at Newcastle and connecting AI research with medicine at Oxford. At Reading, he became Head of Cybernetics, tested neural implants and rat-neuron robot control, and published the 2004 edition of March of the Machines, a book about AI and robotics. He planned a move from Reading to a Deputy Vice-Chancellor role at Coventry after 25 years there, then worked with Huma Shah on Royal Society Turing tests in 2014. As of October 2026, he is an emeritus professor at Coventry University.

Now at
Coventry University
Works
542

Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 15 October 2026. Citations and h-index are hidden because this OpenAlex record may be incomplete or mix in other authors.

Timeline

  1. 1954–1982

    From Coventry to Imperial

    In 1954, he is born in Coventry; he studies electrical and electronic engineering at Aston and earns a PhD at Imperial College London.

  2. 1982–1988

    AI-controlled robotics at Newcastle

    At Newcastle in 1982, he takes a lecturing post and secures an EU grant with Costas Goutis to develop AI-controlled robotics. At Oxford in 1985, he links AI and neural-network research with Parkinson’s disease and prosthetics, then becomes Professor and Head of Department of Cybernetics at Reading in 1988.

  3. 1998–2004

    Cyborg experiments and an AI book

    In 1998, a transponder is implanted in his left arm. Experiments in 2002 link his nervous system to a computer; he uses neural signals to control a robot and tests ultrasonic input. A 2004 edition of March of the Machines surveys AI and robotics.

  4. 2008

    IET Mountbatten Medal

    He receives the IET Mountbatten Medal in 2008.

  5. 2010

    A biological brain for a robot

    In 2010, his Reading team grows rat neurons on a 128-electrode array and uses them to control a two-wheeled robot with sonar. The neural pathways help the robot learn to avoid walls.

  6. December 2013

    Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Coventry

    In December 2013, he plans to leave Reading after 25 years and take the Deputy Vice-Chancellor role at Coventry.

  7. 2014–2015

    A Royal Society Turing test

    At the Royal Society in 2014, he and Huma Shah hold Turing test sessions with Eugene Goostman. Their 2015 article reports that the machine becomes the first to pass the test on unrestricted conversation.

  8. As of October 2026

    Emeritus professor at Coventry

    As of October 2026, he is an Emeritus Professor at Coventry University.

Sources and credits

Photo: We have no published photo of Kevin Warwick yet. Send us a free-licensed photo.

  1. Professor Kevin Warwick - Archives of IT archivesit.org.uk. Checked 15 October 2026.
  2. Vice-Chancellor thanks Professor Kevin Warwick for his service to the University of Reading archive.reading.ac.uk. Checked 15 October 2026.
  3. Cyborg Engineering – the Widening Participation Summer Lecture – University of Reading archive.reading.ac.uk. Checked 15 October 2026.
  4. March of the Machines: The Breakthrough in Artificial Intelligence books.google.com. Checked 15 October 2026.
  5. Rat Brain Robot Grows Up spectrum.ieee.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  6. Can machines think? A report on Turing test experiments at the Royal Society pureportal.coventry.ac.uk. Checked 15 October 2026.
  7. Programme Committees | ICITST- 2025 icitst.org. Checked 15 October 2026.