Armando Walter Colombo

Armando Walter Colombo is Full Professor at the Department of Electrotechnical and Industrial Informatics, University of Applied Sciences Emden-Leer, Germany, and Director of the Institute for Industrial Informatics, Automation and Robotics (I2AR) since 2012. With 17 years at Schneider Electric as Manager for Collaborative Projects and Edison Level 2 Group Senior Expert, he bridges industry and academia in industrial digitalization.

Educational background:

• BSc in Electronics Engineering, National Technological University of Mendoza, Argentina (1990)
• MSc in Control System Engineering, National University of San Juan, Argentina (1994)
• Doctor degree in Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany (1998)

His research pioneers industrial cyber-physical systems, system-of-systems engineering, and Industry 4.0 architectures. Colombo's seminal work established foundational frameworks for networked smart systems driving the 4th Industrial Revolution, with emphasis on interoperability standards and societal impact. As co-founder of IEEE IES Technical Committees on Industrial Agents and Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems, he shapes global research agendas.

Analysis of recent publications reveals consistent focus on standardization alignment (RAMI4.0, IIRA), evolution of industrial electronics through technological revolutions, and critical assessment of Industry 4.0 implementation challenges across sectors.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Fellow of the IEEE
• Inclusion in Who’s Who in the World /Engineering 99-00/01
• Listed in Outstanding People of the XX Century

Colombo has managed €30 million in EU-authorized R&D budgets across international projects. He serves as advisor for EU Framework Programs (FP6-FP7-Horizon 2020), expert for European Research Executive Agency, ECSEL, Eureka, and German BMBF/DLR programs, with leadership in IEEE IES Administrative Committee.

As I2AR Director, he leads research in industrial automation and robotics, developing Industry 4.0 compliant solutions through collaborative projects with multi-cultural teams across 12+ years of multi-regional innovation.