Prof. Dr. Jan Steckel
Jan Steckel is a Research Professor at Cosys-Lab, University of Antwerp, and is affiliated with Flanders Make. His work starts from a simple question: "How do bats find their way in complete darkness using only sound?" By studying the answer, he develops technology that lets machines “see” with ultrasound, from 3D sonar and microphone arrays to acoustic navigation for robots. Moreover, the same principles support industrial inspection, such as locating compressed-air leaks, and biomedical applications, such as automated lung-sound analysis. Today, he combines bat biosonar with artificial intelligence to build robots that understand their surroundings through echoes. Beyond the lab, he shares these ideas with a wider audience on his blog, Acoustic Explorations.
€16.7M
+150
A snapshot of research, collaboration and impact
+2,500
10
Research Funding
Acquired
Scientific Publications
Citations
26 h-index
Graduated PhDs
8 more in progress
+5
2
Patent families
IEEE Awards Best Demonstration
What the research is about
01
Bat echolocation and bio-inspired sensing
How echolocating bats perceive and navigate complex environments with sound, and how these principles can inspire new sensing technologies.
02
3D acoustic imaging and robot navigation
Biomimetic sonar, high-resolution microphone arrays, and acoustic navigation and mapping (SLAM) that help robots find their way.
03
Industrial inspection
Ultrasound for condition monitoring, from locating compressed-air leaks
to detecting machinery faults.
04
Bat biosonar meets artificial intelligence
Self-supervised learning, predictive world models and active perception that help robots understand complex environments through sound, as bats do.
Bats navigate in complete darkness using sound alone, and this research translates that ability into technology. Its current focus combines bat biosonar with artificial intelligence, so that robots can understand complex environments through echoes.
Education and Career
Master in Electronics
Engineering
Karel De Grote University College
​
Thesis: "Emfit-based array sensors for biomimetic applications"
PhD in Sciences
Faculty of Sciences, University of Antwerp​
​
Studied the echolocation system of bats and translated these insights into an industrially viable 3D sonar sensor system.
Tenure Track Research Professor
Cosys-Lab, University of Antwerp & Flanders Make​
​
Founded his research team, explored industrial applications of in-air ultrasound and worked toward their adoption by industry
2008-2012
2013 - 2015
2020
2007
2012
Present
2015-2020
PhD Student / Research Engineer
Active Perception Lab, University of Antwerp​
​
Studied the echolocation system of bats and translated these insights into an industrially viable 3D sonar sensor system.
Post-Doc / Team Lead
Centre for Care Technology, University of Antwerp​
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Built interdisciplinary teams for autonomous wheelchairs, stroke rehabilitation and human-computer interaction for tetraplegic patients, while continuing to advance 3D in-air sonar.
Tenured Research Professor
Cosys-Lab, University of Antwerp & Flanders Make​
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Turns signal processing and cyber-physical systems into prototypes, and pushes the limits of robotic perception and scene understanding.