- Biomechatronics
Dr. Ana Rajcevic is an artist, designer, research scientist and lecturer specializing in hybrid prosthetics, external body appendages, and body augmentation devices. She works at the intersections of art, design, and technology, exploring possibilities of augmenting and extending human appearance, cognition, and expression through biomimetic and non-anthropomorphic, animal-inspired designs.
As a research scientist in the Biomechatronics group, Rajcevic conducts research into neurologically controlled biomimetic and non-anthropomorphic prostheses, investigating how their design, morphology, dynamics, and functionality influence the experience of embodiment, agency, and ownership of a worn device. Specifically, her research examines how human-machine interfaces, enabling brain control and natural sensations from prostheses reshape bodily perception and agency. How does a technological interface connecting a biomimetic or non-biomimetic appendage to the peripheral nervous system affect the user’s sense of embodiment? Can human embodiment persist if the new appendage disrupts body representation? And how do these innovations shape the user’s sense of self?
Rajcevic's work have been exhibited internationally in prestigious venues such as the Smithsonian Museum (USA), Boijmans Museum (NL), Haus der Kulturen der Welt (DE), Science Museum (UK), and Venice Design Biennale (IT), and are part of the permanent collection of the Design Museum Den Bosch (NL), among others. Additionally, her work has been featured in media outlets like The Independent, The Guardian, Wired, and CNN. She is an elected member of the RSA (Royal Society of Arts) in London and serves as a visiting lecturer at the Institute of Technology and Design, University of the Arts London.