Nuremberg Institute of Technology Georg Simon OhmGermany
Christina Singer is a Professor for Automotive Engineering at the Technische Hochschule Nürnberg, Faculty MBVS, since March 2021. She previously held roles at Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG (2015-2021) as a Specialist Project Management and Expert for Verification & Validation, and was a Research Assistant/Ph.D. Student at TU Darmstadt's Institute of Automotive Engineering from 2011 to 2015. Education: Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, TU Darmstadt (2008-2010) Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, Fachhochschule Südwestfalen (2005-2008) Her research and teaching focus on Automotive Engineering, Systems Engineering, and Verification & Validation. Her work emphasizes methodologies for vehicle-level validation, change management in release processes, and standardized guidelines for mechatronic systems. Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to automotive systems assurance and driver assistance technologies. Publications Trends: Her recent articles center on automotive systems engineering, verification/validation frameworks, and change management. Keywords include Automotive Engineering , Systems Engineering , and Mechatronics , with sub-fields like Vehicle-Level Validation , Test Selection Methods , and Driver Assistance Systems .
Prof. Dr. Matthias Althoff is an Associate Professor of Cyber-Physical Systems at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), leading the Chair of Cyber-Physical Systems within the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology. His research focuses on formal safety verification, model-based design, and reachability analysis for systems such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, and power grids. Education: He earned his diploma in Mechatronics and Information Technology (2005) and PhD (2010, summa cum laude) from TUM. He held postdoctoral positions at Carnegie Mellon University (2010–2012) and served as a junior professor at TU Ilmenau (2012–2013) before joining TUM as a full professor in 2013, becoming an associate professor in 2019. Research Interests: His work spans cyber-physical systems, formal methods for safety assurance, autonomous vehicles, modular robotics, and smart grid control. He develops tools like CommonRoad and CORA for scenario-based testing and reachability analysis. Awards: He has received the IEEE/ACM William J. McCalla ICCAD Best Paper Award (2012) and the Best Poster Award at the IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (2009). Labs/Projects: Leads the Cyber-Physical Systems group, collaborating on projects such as the Scenario Factory for automated vehicle testing and CommonPower for safe smart grid control. He also co-founded startups RobCo and aiina .
Thorsten A. Kern is Professor and Director of the Institute of Mechatronics in Mechanical Engineering at Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH). He joined TUHH in January 2019 after serving as R&D manager for interior components at Continental, leading a team of 300 engineers worldwide. From January 2023 to January 2025, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and is elected to serve as Vice President for Teaching and Learning from October 2025 to October 2028. Since 2022, he has been Vice President of the EuroHaptics Society. Dipl.-Ing. (2002), Darmstadt University of Technology Dr.-Ing. (2006), Darmstadt University of Technology Prof. Kern's research focuses on electromagnetic sensors and actuators, particularly their system integration in high-dynamic applications. His work spans human-machine interfaces, haptic devices, and the intersection of technology with arts. He has a strong interest in medical applications including robotic rehabilitation systems, wearable exoskeletons, and telemanipulation systems. His research also extends to maritime applications, including ship energy systems and ocean monitoring technologies. Prof. Kern's recent publications reveal a strong focus on haptic interfaces, rehabilitation robotics, and maritime energy systems. His work combines theoretical modeling with practical implementation, often involving interdisciplinary teams. There's a clear trajectory toward tele-rehabilitation systems with haptic feedback, maritime power systems optimization, and novel sensor development. His research demonstrates consistent integration of mechanical, electrical, and control engineering principles to solve complex real-world problems. Over 30 patent families with >120 patent applications worldwide Main editor of "Engineering Haptic Devices" (3rd edition) Vice President of EuroHaptics Society (since 2022) Prof. Kern shows a strong passion for entrepreneurship and mentors young people through the Impossible Founders network. He actively supports students in IP-oriented exploitation of research findings, leveraging his extensive patent experience. His research is supported by various projects in haptics, mechatronics, and rehabilitation engineering, with collaborations spanning academia and industry. Prof. Kern leads the Institute of Mechatronics in Mechanical Engineering (M-4) at TUHH, which houses specialized laboratories including the Haptics Lab, PHiLsLab (Power Hardware-in-the-Loop Laboratory), and Optics Lab (Goniometer Laboratory for Measuring Light Fields). His research team includes multiple research assistants and doctoral students working on electrical measuring systems, autonomous multi-sensor drifters, SMART Sensor Particles, and human-machine collaboration projects.
Peiman Shah Nazar is a Researcher at the Institute for Medical Device Technology, University of Stuttgart, Germany. He holds an M.Sc. in Mechatronics and Robotic System Design from Azad University, Ahar Branch, Iran, and is currently pursuing his Dr. Ing. at the University of Stuttgart. Research focus: Rehabilitation robotics for ankle, hip, and knee joints Expertise in intelligent control systems and biomedical signal processing His work emphasizes sustainable medical device design and optimization of robotic rehabilitation systems using neural networks and genetic algorithms. Recent publications highlight advancements in home-care physiotherapy robotics and chaotic control methodologies. At the Institute for Medical Device Technology, he contributes to reprocessing procedures and sustainable device development in laboratory settings.
Parastou Azari is a Researcher at the Chair of Information Systems and New Media, part of Faculty III Business Informatics and New Media at the University of Siegen. She holds a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and a Master's in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Siegen, where she focused on advanced technologies such as autonomous systems and knowledge-based coaching for older adults. Her research interests span Artificial Intelligence disciplines, including machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and knowledge-based systems. She has contributed to initiatives like the e-VITA project and engages in cutting-edge technical projects. She is based in room US-D 120 and can be reached via email at Parastou.AzariGargari@uni-siegen.de .
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Andreas Reuter serves as Managing Director at both the Institute for Wind Energy Systems (LUH) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES . Affiliated with the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodetic Science at Leibniz University Hannover, his work focuses on wind turbine design, structural reliability, and renewable energy systems. PhD in Wind Turbine Fatigue (Technical University Berlin) Executive Director positions since 2010 Co-founder roles in multiple wind energy companies His research explores innovative wind turbine concepts , smart rotor blade design , fatigue load analysis , and technology assessment in wind energy. Recent publications emphasize aerostructural optimization , active load management , and offshore wind turbine modeling . Publications trends include multi-megawatt turbine evaluation , swept blade aerodynamics , and sensor technology integration for energy systems. His work spans mechanical engineering , renewable energy , and structural dynamics sub-fields. Courses taught include Rotor Blade Design for Wind Turbines , Wind Energy Technology series, and supervision of student projects/theses.
Constantin Uhde is a PhD candidate at the Institute for Cognitive Systems (ICS) of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). His research focuses on integrating cognitive approaches with robotic planning to achieve robust, unsupervised task execution. He holds a Master's degree in Robotics, Cognition, and Intelligence from TUM and a Bachelor's in Mechatronics from Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen. Research Interests include bio-inspired robotics, human-robot interaction, virtual reality applications in robotics, and path planning using multimodal sensor data. His work bridges theoretical cognitive science with practical robotic systems, emphasizing causal reasoning and transfer learning. Uhde teaches as a lecturer for the Advanced Seminar & Practical Projects in Cognitive Systems and has published in top-tier conferences such as IEEE CASE, IROS, and ICRA. His contributions range from visuomotor learning frameworks to benchmark datasets for symbolic grounding in robotics. He is part of the ICS lab team developing systems for humanoid robotics and neuroengineering applications, contributing to platforms like the Compact Omni-directional Mobile Platform and EEG Laboratory setups.
Schmalkalden University of Applied SciencesGermany
Prof. Emil Kolev is a Professor of Technical Mechanics at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, specializing in Finite Element Methods (FEM), structural mechanics, and robotics. He holds a Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. degree and has over 20 years of expertise in FEM analysis, structural optimization, and failure prevention in mechanical components. His career includes roles at TU Ilmenau and as a project leader in technology transfer. Education: 1984–1985: Mechanical Engineering, Gabrovo Technical University (Bulgaria) 1985–1990: Technical and Biomedical Cybernetics (specializing in Computer Science), Ilmenau University of Applied Sciences (Germany) Research Focus: His work centers on FEM-driven analysis and optimization of mechanical systems, including vibrations, material strength, and robotics. Key areas include worm-like locomotion systems, deformable magnetic actuators, and structural integrity verification through simulation-experiment correlation. Publications highlight advancements in FEM modeling for robotics, thermal analysis in food processing, and multi-body system dynamics. Patents & Innovation: Developed novel tripod mechanisms and cutting tools for the meat industry Contributed to magnetic locomotion prototypes and ferrofluid-based actuator designs Key Contributions: His research bridges theoretical FEM methodologies with practical applications in industry and robotics, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to mechanical system design and validation.
Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. D. Söffker is a University Professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Engineering, where he leads the Chair of Control, Regulation and System Dynamics since 2001. His work spans multiple institutions including visiting professorships at University of Maryland and Shanghai Maritime University. His educational background includes: 1988: Dipl.-Ing. Mechanical Engineering, Leibniz University Hannover, specialization in General Mechanical Engineering 1995: Dr.-Ing., Department of Safety Engineering, University of Wuppertal 2001: Habilitation in Security Technology/Automation Technology, University of Wuppertal Prof. Söffker's research focuses on modeling, diagnosis and control of elastic mechanical systems , with particular expertise in robust control theory, system diagnostics, and cognitive technical systems. His work bridges theoretical control systems with practical applications in industrial settings, emphasizing human-machine interaction and autonomous system design. He has developed innovative approaches for structural health monitoring and fault detection in complex mechanical systems. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on human-centered automation, with increasing attention to cognitive technical systems and human decision-making processes. His work spans from fundamental control theory (robust observers, nonlinear systems) to practical applications in structural health monitoring, wear detection, and process supervision. The interdisciplinary nature of his research connects mechanical engineering, computer science, and cognitive systems. His research group is involved in several key projects: Structural Health Monitoring Security and reliability systems Methods for application in energy production and use Cognitive Technical Systems
Max Planck Institute for Intelligent SystemsGermany
Katherine J. Kuchenbecker is the Director of the Haptic Intelligence Department at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart, Germany, and an Honorary Professor at the University of Stuttgart. She previously held a tenured position as an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on haptic interfaces and sensing systems, enabling users to interact with virtual and distant objects through touch. She earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and completed postdoctoral research at Johns Hopkins University. Her academic journey includes leadership roles such as co-chair of the IEEE Technical Committee on Haptics and associate editorships for major conferences. She has received numerous awards, including the NSF CAREER Award (2009), IEEE Academic Early Career Award (2012), and elevation to IEEE Fellow (2021). Her work spans applications in medical robotics, teleoperation, and human-robot interaction. Kuchenbecker’s research emphasizes translating haptic technology into real-world applications, such as surgical training, tactile feedback in virtual environments, and assistive devices. Her team’s contributions include innovations in wearable haptic devices and tactile sensing for robots. She frequently delivers keynote addresses and chairs international conferences, furthering the field’s global impact. Her publications highlight advancements in haptic feedback systems, surgical robotics, and biomimetic sensors. She also advocates for diversity and leadership in academia, serving as Spokesperson for the International Max Planck Research School for Intelligent Systems since 2017.
Beuth University of Applied Sciences BerlinGermany
Professor Jan Hendrik Carstens is affiliated with Berlin University of Technology, working in Department VII - Electrical Engineering – Mechatronics – Optometry. His contact address is Luxemburger Str. 10, 13353 Berlin, and his office is located in Haus Gauß (B), Room B 202. Reachable via phone at +49 30 4504-2301 or email jan-hendrik.carstens@bht-berlin.de. The department focuses on interdisciplinary research in electrical engineering, mechatronics, and optometry. Research Interests: The department's work spans applied physics, precision engineering, and vision science. Core areas include optical system design, sensor integration, and biomedical device development.
Beuth University of Applied Sciences BerlinGermany
Prof. Dr. Marco Chiado Caponet is a Professor of Power Electronics at Berlin University of Technology . His research focuses span power electronics, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) , and wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors for applications in electric vehicles , photovoltaic systems , and high-efficiency inverters . Education: Master's (1995) and Ph.D. (2000) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from Polytechnic of Turin. Professional History: Developed power electronics at Prima Electronics (1996–1997), research assistant at Polytechnic of Turin (1997–1999), and visiting researcher at RWTH Aachen (1998–1999). Later served as Ministerial Official (2004–2008), Director of the Don Bosco Institute (2008–2014), and held professorships at RheinMain University of Applied Sciences (2014–2016), Ravensburg-Weingarten University (2015), Wismar University (2016–2020), and Berlin University of Technology (since 2020). Research Trends: Specializes in EMC-optimized inverter design , WBG semiconductor characterization (GaN/SiC), and thermal performance for industrial and traction applications. Publications highlight advancements in low-cost power factor correction , noise suppression , and high-efficiency photovoltaic inverters . Scientific Awards: IEEE Senior Member (2021) Advising: Offers thesis topics in DC/DC converters , WBG semiconductors , and renewable energy systems . No explicit student list provided.
Prof. Karsten Peter is a Professor of Automation and Mechatronics at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences. He leads the Manufacturing Automation Laboratory and is involved in the Embedded Systems Design study program. His research focuses on mechatronic systems control, aerospace technologies, safety engineering, and requirements engineering. Education details are not explicitly provided in the text. His professional roles include academic leadership and laboratory management. No specific awards or grants are mentioned, but his expertise is centered around automation and embedded systems applications. He is based at An der Karlstadt 6, Office Z1020 in Bremerhaven. Office hours during lecture periods are Monday afternoons, with appointments required outside term time.
Prof. Rolf Isermann is a Professor at the Technical University of Darmstadt, leading the Research Group for Control Systems and Process Automation. His work focuses on model-based control, fault diagnosis in automotive systems, and real-time engine management. He has authored seminal works on combustion engine diagnostics, vehicle dynamics control, and collision avoidance systems like PRORETA. His research bridges theoretical control engineering with practical applications in automotive and industrial automation. Key contributions include advancements in state estimation for diesel engines, adaptive control methodologies for driving dynamics, and system identification techniques. He has published extensively on topics such as turbocharger modeling, emission control optimization, and fault-tolerant mechatronic systems. His work emphasizes integrating sensor data with physical models to enhance system reliability and performance. Prof. Isermann's research also explores mechatronic systems fundamentals, including sensor and actuator design, and has contributed to standards in industrial automation through his involvement with IFAC symposia. His publications span academic journals and conference proceedings, reflecting a commitment to both theoretical innovation and practical engineering solutions.
South Westphalia University of Applied SciencesGermany
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Bechtloff serves as Professor of Measurement, Control and Regulation Technology at the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences since 1998. He has held significant administrative roles including Founding Dean of Mechanical and Industrial Economics (2002-2004), Dean of Engineering and Economics (2004-2012), and Head of Scientific Center for Dual Studies and Continuing Education (2012-2019). His academic career spans industrial experience at Klöckner-Moeller GmbH (1992-1998) and academic research at TU Braunschweig (1987-1992). Education: Diplom from TU Braunschweig (1987), Dr.-Ing. from TU Braunschweig (1992) Laboratory: Operates the TransferFactory Industry 4.0 demonstrator since 2013 Research Focus: Industrial automation systems, particularly in Industry 4.0 implementation, Digital Production methodologies, and Mechatronic Systems simulation. His work emphasizes practical solutions for real-world challenges in: IoT gateway and platform integration Feasibility studies and implementation support Control engineering and measurement technology Electronics cam systems for motion control Robotic programming and interpolation methods Publication Trends: 15 most recent publications (2000-2020) demonstrate consistent focus on Industry 4.0 implementation, Mechatronics , and Digital Production technologies. His work bridges theoretical concepts with practical applications through case studies and demonstrator projects like the TransferFactory system. Teaching Contributions: Coordinates courses in Mechatronic Systems and Simulation and Digital Production for both bachelor and master programs, with emphasis on project-oriented learning and practical implementation of automation concepts using modern tools like MATLAB/Simulink. Technology Transfer: Provides services in measurement technology (data processing/visualization), control engineering (simulation and implementation), and mechatronics (3D motion design, kinematic analysis). Operates with state-of-the-art equipment including Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens S7/TIA systems, ABB/Kuka robots, and MES platforms.
