Gal Gorjup's unconventional journey to robotics innovation

Now a Senior Robotics Development Engineer at Acumino, Gal is helping design, implement and test intelligent robotic systems. His work focuses on developing core features that allow robots to perform increasingly complex tasks and occasionally supporting their real-world deployment. It's a role that blends precision engineering with future-forward thinking.

“I didn’t really imagine a career path for myself when growing up,” Gal reflects. “I just tried to steer myself towards things I found interesting.”

That interest initially led him to mechanical engineering. But during his undergraduate study, Gal realised that his passion lay in mechatronics, where software, electronics and mechanical systems intersect. A master-level exchange opportunity in Denmark exposed him to robotics and confirmed the direction he wanted to pursue.

Then came a life-changing opportunity: a PhD position at the New Dexterity Research Group at University of Auckland. “It was too good to pass up,” he says. “I applied, and within a few short months I was on my way to New Zealand.”

The PhD programme gave him the freedom to delve deep into robotics, supported by a team and mentor that encouraged innovation. After graduating, Gal returned to Europe to work with a robotics start-up before rejoining his former team and this time as a senior engineer at Acumino.

Now at the forefront of robotic intelligence, Acumino is also making global waves. The company recently announced the launch of the first International Humanoid Olympiad, to be held in Olympia, Greece, from 29 August - 2 September 2025. It’s an event that blends ancient Olympic ideals with cutting-edge robotics, and highlights Acumino’s bold vision for the future of humanoid systems.

At Acumino, Gal is focused on turning research into practical, high-impact solutions. “We’re building the next generation of AI-powered robot models,” he says. “They allow us to rapidly train and execute complex bimanual processes that are not feasible with classic automation.”

One of the things he’s most excited about is helping robots learn advanced manipulation skills through simple demonstrations. “It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to something that could fundamentally change how we use robots in industry.”

Gal’s work has already seen breakthrough moments. He recalls winning a robotic assembly challenge at the 2018 International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, thanks to a novel CAD-based localisation method. Another career highlight? Successfully deploying a robot system to manage complex conveyor belt operations, something larger companies had written off as too difficult.

While at University of Auckland, Gal also participated in an entrepreneurship programme for PhD students and other related innovation workshops through the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). He credits these experiences with shaping how he approaches problem-solving today.

“I thought that having some basic entrepreneurial knowledge could be useful in case I came across an idea worth commercialising,” he says. “The brainstorming techniques we learned were especially valuable for generating and refining ideas.”

For PhD students considering life after research, Gal has clear advice: Apply your research to real-world problems whenever possible. “If aiming for industry, try to work on practical applications, ideally with an industrial partner. This gives you insight into the challenges in your field and could evolve into job opportunities after graduation.”

And even if a start-up idea doesn’t surface during study, working on tangible use cases builds valuable experience and credibility.

“My next steps are aligned with Acumino: to redefine the limits of robot manipulation capabilities.”

With a track record of innovation and a deep commitment to both research and impact, Gal Gorjup is helping shape a future where robots don’t just assist, they understand, adapt, and perform with unprecedented skill.