Gerd Hirzinger

Prof. Dr. Gerd Hirzinger is an Honorary Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) since 1991, affiliated with the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology. His career spans over 50 years in robotics and automation. He earned his electrical engineering degree at TUM and joined the German Aerospace Center (DLR), where he led the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics from 2001 to 2012. He pioneered space robotics, deploying the first remotely controlled robot (ROTEX) in 1993. Under his leadership, DLR's robotics institute became a global competency center.

His research focuses on advanced robotics, mechatronics, and real-time systems, with applications in space exploration and industrial automation. He has been awarded all major international robotics prizes, including the IEEE Field Award and Leibniz Prize, alongside German national honors. Notably, he declined permanent academic chairs to focus on research and institutional leadership.

Prof. Hirzinger held key roles such as director of the Robotics and Mechatronics Center (2009–2012), spokesperson of the Bavarian Mechatronics Network (2001–2005), and co-director of DLR's Robotics and System Dynamics Institute (1992–2009). His legacy includes foundational contributions to robotic control systems and automation technologies.