Jonas Schmidtler

Jonas Schmidtler is a Researcher at the Institute of Ergonomics, Technical University of Munich, working under Professor Klaus Bengler since September 2013. His research focuses on human-robot interaction and ergonomics in collaborative systems, particularly investigating how robotic systems can adapt to individual physical and cognitive capabilities.

He holds a diploma (equivalent to a master's degree) in mechanical engineering and management from the Technical University of Munich, with thesis work on truck interior design at MAN Truck & Bus. His educational background bridges mechanical engineering and human factors.

Dr. Schmidtler's primary research explores physical human-robot collaboration, with emphasis on perceptual phenomena like size-weight illusion, human perception of inertial mass, and ergonomic design of collaborative robots. His work addresses adaptive systems for material handling that accommodate diverse user abilities across age, gender, and skill levels.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2019-2015) reveals consistent focus on haptic interaction, usability metrics, and human perception in collaborative robotics. Key themes include motion design for industrial robots, external human-machine interfaces for automated vehicles, and evaluation frameworks for physical assistive devices, spanning applications from manufacturing to transportation.

He actively contributes to the KobotAERGO project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), which develops adaptive collaborative robots as intelligent assist devices for ergonomic material handling. This work integrates principles from cognitive ergonomics and physical interaction design.

As part of the Chair of Ergonomics at TUM, Schmidtler participates in research groups focused on Robotics for Life and Healthcare and Automated Driving, utilizing facilities including the Dynamical Mock-Up and Static Driving Simulator laboratories for experimental validation of human-robot interaction concepts.