Prof. Fernando Ribeiro is an Associate Professor with Habilitation at the University of Minho (Portugal), where he founded the Laboratory of Automation and Robotics (LAR) in 1998. Over the past three decades, he has led groundbreaking work in mobile and autonomous robotics, computer vision, artificial intelligence, industrial robotics, and automation. He has supervised numerous Master’s and PhD students, and published over 150 scientific papers, while giving more than 200 invited talks on robotics across the globe.

He is president of the Portuguese Robotics Society and Director/Editor of Robotica (Portuguese Scientific Journal).

A key figure in international robotics education and outreach, Prof. Ribeiro created RoboParty, a unique educational event that has introduced thousands of young people to robotics since 2007. The botnroll robot was specifically developed by his team for RoboParty. He also co-founded the spin-off company SAR (Solutions for Automation and Robotics), which develops industrial and educational robotic solutions (botnroll.com).

Prof. Ribeiro has been deeply involved in RoboCup since 1999, participating in leagues such as Middle Size League, @Home, Humanoid, and Junior Soccer and Dance. He served as a RoboCup Trustee (2013–2024), Vice-President (2018–2023), and has chaired and organized multiple national and international robotics competitions and symposiums.

His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Order of Public Education by the President of Portugal in 2005, for his impact on science and education. Prof. Ribeiro remains strongly committed to promoting STEM education, organizing events, school visits, and developing robotics clubs that inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.