Assaf is also the Associate Director and founding member the MIT Senseable City Lab, a research group which develops technologies in big data, machine learning and robotics aimed at improving livability in cities. He had supervised research in areas of urban sensing, data fusion and urban transportation, and also lead the lab partnership initiatives with cities and the private sector.

Assaf has a background in physics, and design. He holds over 150 patents and publications, and has been honored with multiple international awards including the Red Dot Luminary, Time Magazine, Thomas Edison, and James Dyson awards.