Release Date 19 December 2013

Professor Kevin Warwick is to leave the University of Reading's School of Systems Engineering after 25 years of ground-breaking research and high-quality teaching.

During his time at Reading, Professor Warwick's research has included using intelligent computer methods to predict the onset of Parkinsonian tremors. He also invented a robot controlled by neural tissue which is providing crucial insights into diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Professor Warwick is known for his pioneering experiments involving a neuro-surgical implantation into the median nerves of his own left arm. This links his nervous system directly to a computer and has helped assess the latest technology for use by the disabled. Professor Warwick was also successful with the first extra-sensory (ultrasonic) input for a human and with the first purely electronic telegraphic communication experiment between the nervous systems of two humans.

Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: "Kevin Warwick has spent his career turning science fiction into reality. His work has changed our understanding of being human and shown the limitless possibilities of robotics in the 21^st century.

"He is a master at combining ground-breaking research with the popular touch - able to communicate the most complex science simply and directly to the public. From becoming the first human ‘cyborg' to creating robot rats, his work on artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering, bioethics, deep brain stimulation and neurodynamics has taken him to the frontiers of human knowledge and understanding.

"The weight of Kevin's ideas, as well as his personal influence will be felt across the University of Reading for many years to come. I am delighted that he has agreed to become a Visiting Professor at Reading and that our academics will continue to collaborate with him on many new and exciting projects.

"Kevin Warwick has been an outstanding colleague. I congratulate him on his distinguished new appointment and wish him every success in the future."

Professor Warwick said: "It has been wonderful to see the changes for the better that have occurred at the University of Reading. During my time here I have been privileged to be party to world-leading research and a series of pioneering scientific experiments.  I will be very sad to move on.

"However the opportunity to fulfil the role of Deputy Vice Chancellor at Coventry is an extremely exciting one as they go through a transition in their research output. I am delighted to say however that I will be able to retain my links through accepting a Visiting Professorship at Reading."

Notes to Editors

Professor Kevin Warwick DSc.CEng.FIET FCGI is currently Professor of Cybernetics at the University of Reading.  He holds a BSc. (Hons.) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Aston University, a Ph.D. from Imperial College London and DScs from Imperial College and the Czech Academy of Sciences as well as six honorary doctorates including one from Coventry University.

Kevin began his academic career at Imperial College followed by positions at Newcastle, Oxford and Warwick Universities before being appointed to the Chair at Reading where he has performed both Head of Department and Head of School duties.

Kevin has published around 600 papers in research areas such as artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering, robotics and control systems. His experiments into implant technology led to him being featured as the cover story on the US magazine, ‘Wired'. He was presented with The Future of Health Technology Award in MIT, was made an Honorary Member of the Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, received the IEE Senior Achievement Medal, in 2008 the IET Mountbatten Medal and in 2011 the Ellison-Cliffe Medal from the Royal Society of Medicine. In 2000 Kevin presented the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures.