Frank Kirchner

Frank Kirchner is a Professor at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Bremen and Executive Director of the Robotics Innovation Center at DFKI Bremen since 2008. He holds a chair for Robotics and leads a team of over 100 employees. Kirchner is also a Research Fellow at Tsinghua University and a member of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

Education:

• Diploma in Informatics and Neurobiology (1994), University of Bonn
• Doctorate (Dr. rer. nat) in Computer Science (1999), University of Bonn

Research Interests: Kirchner specializes in biologically inspired behavior and motion sequences for highly redundant, multifunctional robot systems. His work spans soft robotics, space robotics, and human-centered robotic systems, with recent projects like AI-REEFSHIELD (AI for marine restoration monitoring) and FieldCoBots (collaborative field robotics for strawberry harvesting). He integrates generative AI (e.g., ActGPT) and quantum control methods into robotics, pushing the boundaries of autonomous systems.

Scientific Contributions: With over 350 publications and leadership in initiatives like the German Softrobotics Priority Program and the Brazilian Institute of Robotics, Kirchner bridges robotics, AI, and interdisciplinary applications. His 15 most recent papers highlight trends in robotic design, quantum control algorithms, and planetary exploration.

Awards & Memberships:

• Honorary Doctorate from SENAI CIMATEC, Brazil (2017)
• Research Fellow, Tsinghua University (2018)
• Member, Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (2015–)
• Committee member, Leopoldina (2021–)

Academic Leadership: Kirchner has founded institutes like MarTech (maritime technologies) and Ground Truth Robotics, and co-founded journals like the International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems. He oversees projects funded by the EU, DFG, and national agencies, with a focus on security-relevant research and hostile-to-life environments.