Geometry processing
Low-distortion mappings, parametrization, and shape optimization with guarantees.
About
Biography
I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Haifa, Israel, where I lead CraftLabXR, a research group that explores how robotics, computer graphics, design, digital fabrication, and visual perception come together. My research blends geometry processing, mixed and augmented reality, machine learning, and intelligent agents to create new ways for people to design and build. I focus on making complex geometric, robotic, and computational processes more natural and expressive, enabling richer forms of creativity and human–machine collaboration.
I also head the Video Game Design Track for undergraduate students, where we combine computer science, design, and storytelling to train the next generation of creators. In addition, I direct the CRI Center for Interdisciplinary Applications in Computer Science, which brings together researchers and practitioners from diverse fields to apply computing in innovative and meaningful ways.
Research
What we work on
Computational fabrication
Design tools that turn digital shapes into things you can cut, fold, print, and assemble.
Robotics & intelligent agents
Optimization-based design, motion planning, and control for robots that manipulate and move.
Mixed reality
XR interfaces for teleoperation and human–robot collaboration, and capturing people in 3D.
News
Recent
- Two papers in ACM Transactions on Graphics (SIGGRAPH 2026): MeshFEM, a block-accelerated solver for nonlinear finite elements, now open source, and Stress-Aware Panelization of Freeform Surfaces.
- Invited talk at the Vision & AI for Industrial Automation conference: Challenges in Immersive Teleoperation and How AI can Bridge the Gap.
- Computational Modeling and Design of Capacitive Stretch Sensors appears in ACM TOG (SIGGRAPH Asia 2025).
- Radio Haifa features our Computer Science + Game Development track, the first program of its kind in Israel (Hebrew).
- Interview with the University of Haifa on how AI is reshaping the tech landscape (Hebrew).
- Promoted to Associate Professor. Appointed director of the CRI center and head of the Video Game Design Track.
Publications
Selected work
All 48 publications →-
SIGGRAPH
MeshFEM: A Block-accelerated Solver for Nonlinear Finite Elements
ACM Transactions on Graphics (SIGGRAPH 2026)Open access
@article{mohammadian2026meshfem, author = {Mohammadian, Haleh and Hu, Xinzhuo and Poranne, Roi and Panetta, Julian}, title = {MeshFEM: A Block-accelerated Solver for Nonlinear Finite Elements}, journal = {ACM Transactions on Graphics}, volume = {45}, number = {4}, articleno = {121}, year = {2026}, doi = {10.1145/3811386} } -
SIGGRAPH Asia
Computational Modeling and Design of Capacitive Stretch Sensors
ACM Transactions on Graphics (SIGGRAPH Asia 2025)
@article{gjoka2025capacitive, author = {Gjoka, Arvi and Sun, Yongkang and Poranne, Roi and Panozzo, Daniele}, title = {Computational Modeling and Design of Capacitive Stretch Sensors}, journal = {ACM Transactions on Graphics}, volume = {44}, number = {6}, articleno = {240}, year = {2025}, doi = {10.1145/3763274} } -
SIGGRAPH
Modal Folding: Discovering Smooth Folding Patterns for Sheet Materials using Strain-Space Modes
ACM SIGGRAPH 2024 Conference Papers
@inproceedings{tang2024modal, author = {Tang, Pengbin and Hinchet, Ronan and Poranne, Roi and Thomaszewski, Bernhard and Coros, Stelian}, booktitle = {ACM SIGGRAPH 2024 Conference Papers}, pages = {1--9}, title = {Modal Folding: Discovering Smooth Folding Patterns for Sheet Materials using Strain-Space Modes}, year = {2024} } -
RoboCut: Hot-Wire Cutting with Robot-Controlled Flexible Rods
ACM Transactions on Graphics (SIGGRAPH 2020)
@article{duenser2020robocut, author = {Duenser, Simon and Poranne, Roi and Thomaszewski, Bernhard and Coros, Stelian}, journal = {ACM Transactions on Graphics (TOG)}, number = {4}, pages = {98--1}, publisher = {ACM New York, NY, USA}, title = {RoboCut: hot-wire cutting with robot-controlled flexible rods}, volume = {39}, year = {2020} } -
PuppetMaster: Robotic Animation of Marionettes
ACM Transactions on Graphics (SIGGRAPH 2019)
@article{zimmermann2019puppetmaster, author = {Zimmermann, Simon and Poranne, Roi and Bern, James M and Coros, Stelian}, journal = {ACM Transactions on Graphics (TOG)}, number = {4}, pages = {1--11}, publisher = {ACM New York, NY, USA}, title = {PuppetMaster: robotic animation of marionettes}, volume = {38}, year = {2019} } -
Shape Representation by Zippables
ACM Transactions on Graphics (SIGGRAPH 2018)
@article{schuller2018shape, author = {Schüller, Christian and Poranne, Roi and Sorkine-Hornung, Olga}, journal = {ACM Transactions on Graphics (TOG)}, number = {4}, pages = {1--13}, publisher = {ACM New York, NY, USA}, title = {Shape representation by zippables}, volume = {37}, year = {2018} } -
Autocuts: Simultaneous Distortion and Cut Optimization for UV Mapping
ACM Transactions on Graphics (SIGGRAPH Asia 2017)
@article{poranne2017autocuts, author = {Poranne, Roi and Tarini, Marco and Huber, Sandro and Panozzo, Daniele and Sorkine-Hornung, Olga}, journal = {ACM Transactions on Graphics (TOG)}, number = {6}, pages = {1--11}, publisher = {ACM New York, NY, USA}, title = {Autocuts: simultaneous distortion and cut optimization for UV mapping}, volume = {36}, year = {2017} } -
Provably Good Planar Mappings
ACM Transactions on Graphics (SIGGRAPH 2014)
@article{poranne2014provably, author = {Poranne, Roi and Lipman, Yaron}, journal = {ACM Transactions on Graphics (TOG)}, number = {4}, pages = {1--11}, publisher = {ACM New York, NY, USA}, title = {Provably good planar mappings}, volume = {33}, year = {2014} }
Lab & roles
CraftLabXR and beyond
Research group
CraftLabXR
Robotics, graphics, design, digital fabrication, and visual perception at the University of Haifa. Current work spans robotics and AI, VR/AR, and digital design and fabrication, with a growing focus on bringing large language models into these areas. We collaborate with researchers in chemistry, biology, education, and the arts.
Program
Video Game Design Track
An undergraduate track combining computer science, design, and storytelling.
Center
CRI Center
The Center for Interdisciplinary Applications in Computer Science connects researchers and practitioners across fields.
Contact
Get in touch
roi.poranne@ds.haifa.ac.il
Room 215, Amir Building, Department of Computer Science
University of Haifa, 199 Abba Khoushy Ave., Haifa, Israel
Prospective students: if you're excited about robotics, graphics, fabrication, or XR, email me with a short note about what you'd like to build and a link to something you've made.