Semanux makes the digital world more inclusive by enabling people with disabilities to control the computer via their individual capabilities. This innovative venture is a spin-off from the University of Stuttgart, funded through the EXIST Research Transfer program, which aims to transform academic knowledge into products that enhance people’s lives.

At Semanux, we have implemented several strategies I proposed during my academic career to improve accessibility. One of our key achievements is the development of an AI system that recognizes users’ non-verbal expressions, providing a novel communication method for those with speech impediments. This work not only showcases our technical expertise but also our commitment to creating a more inclusive digital world.

As a Doctoral Researcher at the University of Stuttgart, my research was centered on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), with a particular emphasis on Multimodal Interaction, Accessibility, and Artificial Intelligence. I have had the privilege of publishing papers at highly esteemed conferences in these fields, contributing novel methods and insights to the academic community.

One of my achievements includes the publication of a novel method for eye typing, which was presented at the ACM CHI conference. In addition, I have published a benchmark dataset for classifying non-verbal voice expressions. This work introduced an intelligent system capable of recognizing expressions such as approval humming (i.e., ‘uh-hum’), marking an advancement in the field of audio signal recognition.

Beyond research, I am actively involved in academia as a tutor for courses in Human-Computer Interaction, Information Retrieval, and Machine Learning at the University of Stuttgart. I also supervise several student theses, guiding the next generation of researchers in their academic journey.