Nicolas Villar

Nicolas Villar is an innovator at Microsoft Research and currently serves as the Director of System Integration for the Microsoft Premonition project. This initiative aims to monitor biodiversity and detect biological threats using advanced hardware, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence technologies. His specialization is embedded interaction systems, with research spanning computer science, ubiquitous computing, and human-computer interaction. He has led the development of several impactful projects, including Project Torino, a programming learning tool designed for visually impaired children; Project Zanzibar, a flexible interaction platform; and .NET Gadgeteer, a modular electronics ecosystem that accelerates prototype development, showcasing his expertise in physical interaction systems and innovative sensor hardware.

• Present·Microsoft Premonition·Director, System Integration
  • Leading the development of a system that monitors biodiversity and biological threats using hardware, cloud computing, and AI technologies.
• [Time Period] | Microsoft Research Cambridge, UK | Principal Researcher
  • Co-led the Connected Play initiative and was part of the Sensors and Devices research group. Developed projects including Project Zanzibar, Project Torino, and .NET Gadgeteer.

• [Time Period] | Lancaster University | PhD