Rolf Müller

Rolf Müller is the Raymond E. and Shirley B. Lynn Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech and Director of the Bioinspired Science and Technology Center. His research focuses on bioinspired robotics, particularly mimicking bat sonar systems and flight mechanics, leveraging machine learning to achieve autonomy in natural environments. He holds international collaborations, notably with the University of Brunei, to study bat biodiversity and ecological interactions.

Education includes a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Tübingen (1998), an M.S. in Neuroscience and Electrical Engineering (1995), and a B.S. in Biology (1992), all from Tübingen. His academic roles span universities in China, Denmark, and the U.S., including Taishan Professorships and endowed chairs.

Research interests encompass deep learning for sensing, biomimetic soft robotics, and bioacoustic signal processing. Notable projects include developing flapping-wing robots, AI-driven sonar systems, and field studies in Borneo. He has received prestigious awards such as the Fulbright Award (2022) and Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America (2019).

His work bridges robotics, biology, and AI, aiming to create autonomous systems for precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and national security. Current efforts emphasize integrating sensory and motor control inspired by bats’ complex flight and echolocation strategies.