Background and experience
I started my career as an Automation Mechanic Apprentice and hold a Trade Certificate in automation mechanics. My path to academia was anything but straight — from fixing machines and servicing control systems on oil rigs and vessels around the world to earning a Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences with specialization in Mechatronics.
With extensive industry experience from Cameron Sense (Schlumberger) and Red Rock, I have worked as a Technical Support Engineer, Field Service Engineer, Hydraulic Engineer, Systems Engineer, and Senior R&D Engineer — leading installation, testing, commissioning, and servicing of control systems for oil drilling equipment and cranes in Norway, China, Saudi Arabia, Estonia, Poland, Netherlands, Germany, and Scotland.
Today I am an Associate Professor of Mechatronics at the University of Agder, Director of the Norwegian Motion Laboratory, and founder and Head of the Intelligent Mechatronics research group (iTron). I also serve as a reserve officer in the Norwegian Home Guard (HV-08) and am Chairman and Co-founder of the Norwegian Society of Mechatronics.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences with Specialization in Mechatronics, UiA, Norway, 2020
- M.Sc. in Mechatronics, UiA, Norway, and FHV, Austria, 2014 (Double Diploma)
- B.Sc. in Mechatronics, UiA, Norway, 2012 (Y-veien: vocational path)
- Trade Certificate as Automation Mechanic, Norway, 2009
Current Positions:
- 2022-: Associate Professor in Mechatronics, Department of Engineering Sciences, University of Agder
- 2024-: Senior Systems Architect (part-time), SPEO Products AS
- 2004-: Reserve Officer, Norwegian Armed Forces, HV-08
Previous Industrial Experience:
- 2023-2024: Chief Scientist (part-time), Twilligent AS
- 2022-2023: Senior Technical Advisor (part-time), MotionTech AS
- 2020-2022: Senior R&D Engineer, Red Rock AS
- 2014-2020: Systems Engineer / Hydraulic Engineer / Field Service Engineer / Technical Support Engineer - Control Systems, Cameron Sense AS (SLB)
- 2007-2009: Automation Mechanic Apprentice, Aludyne Norway AS
Areas of responsibility
Research & Leadership:
- Director, Norwegian Motion Laboratory (UiA Motion Lab)
- Head and Founder, Intelligent Mechatronics Research Group (iTron)
- Researcher, Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR)
Academic Governance:
- Employee Elected Member of the Faculty Board, Faculty of Engineering and Science
- Member of the Research Committee, Faculty of Engineering and Science
Professional Organizations & Editorial:
- Chairman, Head, and Co-founder, Norwegian Society of Mechatronics (NSOM)
- Associate Editor, Modeling, Identification and Control (MIC) Journal
- Member of the Advisory Board, Global Fluid Power Society (GFPS)
- Member of the Fund Board, Norwegian Reservist Association (NROF)
- Innovation Ambassador, UiA Nyskaping
- Technical Mentor, SeaBotics UiA
Teaching
Courses:
- MAS514 - Introduction to Autonomous Robotics (responsible)
- MAS418 - Programming for Intelligent Robotics and Industrial Systems (50%)
- MAS518 - Advanced Mechatronics Project (responsible)
BSc and MSc Thesis Supervision:
Research
My research bridges traditional mechatronics with intelligent systems, enabling industry through collaborative research to develop next-generation intelligent and autonomous mechatronic systems. Through the Intelligent Mechatronics research group (iTron), we bring AI into the engineering process itself — not just smarter machines, but smarter ways of designing them.
Research areas:
- Intelligent digital twins
- Autonomous systems
- Robotics and automation
- Electro-hydraulic actuation systems
- Model-based design and optimization
- Cyber-physical systems
- Computer vision and perception
- Applied AI for engineering
Selected publications:
Projects
- Arven etter Dannevig (Legacy of Dannevig)
- Autonomous Hooking System (AHS): Enhancing Safety and Efficiency in Lifting and Handling Operations
- NCUJ-SCORE - Engineering Excellence: Norway-Canada-USA-Japan Sustainable Collaboration
- SFI CELECT - Centre for Effective Engineering and Learning in Complex Systems
- Service Robots as Work Support in Municipal Health and Care Services (SAKO)