Dr. Joel Sadler

Co-founded and is president of a creative computing startup, Piper Inc., which aims to inspire kids to make electronic devices that “spark every child’s inner inventor” in education. Joel’s company was inspired by his Stanford Bio-X research and PhD thesis on the “Anatomy of Creative Computing”.

Joel Sadler, Ph.D.
Tech Founder | Engineer | Educator | XR + AI

Education :

  • Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology
    BS, Mechanical EngineeringBS, Mechanical Engineering 2002 – 2006
  • Stanford UniversityStanford University
    Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Mechanical EngineeringDoctor of Philosophy (PhD), Mechanical Engineering 2011 – 2016
  • Stanford UniversityStanford University
    Master of Science (MS), Computer ScienceMaster of Science (MS), Computer Science 2015 – 2016

Dr. Joel Sadler, is an educator at Stanford University, serial entrepreneur, and XR + AI technology expert. As adjunct faculty at Stanford he teaches STEAM courses exploring how virtual and augmented reality VR and AI can empower the next generation of creative learners. His research at MIT/Stanford has ranged from wearable prosthetics to educational toys. He is a co-founder of several award winning technology companies including Piper Learning and PatchXR, that pioneer learning skills through AI guidance and virtual play. He holds ME/CS degrees from MIT/Stanford and has over 20 publications on the themes of creative computing, and making technology more accessible for all.

At age 25, JDr. oel Sadler led a team of mechanical engineering students to develop a prosthesis known as the Jaipur Knee

It is made of ” … self-lubricating, oil-filled nylon, and is both flexible and stable…”.

This prosthesis knee has enabled amputees in low income communities worldwide to live an easier life. Not only has Sadler improved the lives of American citizens, but the lives of citizens in developing countries around the world, such as India. My dream is to one day make such a difference to others.

Jamaica Gleaner
April 1, 2018 ·


At age 25, Joel Sadler led a team of mechanical engineering students to develop a prosthesis known as the Jaipur Knee: http://bit.ly/2H4vbFm

Joel Sadler was born in Jamaica. He attended Wolmer’s Preparatory School, then Campion College before studying engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.

Awarded in 2012
Home Department: Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Advisors: Sakti Srivastava (Surgery), Larry Leifer (Mechanical Engineering), and Paulo Blikstein (Education)

Research Title: A modular mechatronic platform for flexible device prototyping

Research Description: Joel’s research explores how to enhance creativity by prototyping “Smart Wearable Medical Devices” with embedded sensing and actuation. In particular, his work focuses on how to allow technical novices to express their medical device ideas more fluidly with modular electronic and software building blocks. His research combines clinical need-finding with human-computer interaction (HCI) and mechatronics to understand how we can more rapidly prototype functional smart devices worn on the body and create data driven software to solve clinical needs.