Portrait of Steve Hodges

Steve Hodges

Senior Principal Researcher


Steve Hodges joined Microsoft’s Cambridge research lab in 2004 with the ambition of building hardware systems that change people’s perceptions of technology and how it can be used. He founded and led the Sensors and Devices research group, exploring emerging hardware technologies and creating compelling novel interactive devices and experiences for individuals, communities and organizations. Steve subsequently led hardware strategy and development for the Azure Sphere connected device security solution. In 2018 Steve returned to Research where he continues to work on interactive and embedded hardware systems. Through collaborations within Microsoft and with external partners, many of his innovations have successfully made the transition to product.

Steve’s technical expertise spans interactive systems, connected devices, wireless communications, novel sensing and displays, embedded camera systems, location systems, energy management, security, wearable technologies and rapid prototyping. He collaborates widely to conceive, develop and evaluate and disseminate creative new ideas in domains which include the internet of things, mobile computing, assistive technologies, computer science education and the developer and maker communities. By combining hardware-related research insights with emerging technologies he aims to seed new concepts, tools and technologies in the market.

During his career he has developed and explored numerous technologies and devices. Projects such as Azure Sphere, BBC micro:bit, Sensecam, .NET Gadgeteer, the EPC, software-defined batteries, the Touch Mouse, Kinect Fusion, Circuit Stickers, the Active Bat, and ThinSight are good examples of impactful research which has influenced a wide community and created new market opportunities. Steve has filed over 130 patents and has published over 70 top-tier peer-reviewed papers with over 18,000 citations and has an h-index of 60. His ORCID is 0000-0001-9314-7762.

See Steve’s full bio on the ‘Bio’ tab.