Stephan Hußmann

Professor Stephan Hußmann is a faculty member at the West Coast University of Applied Sciences (FHW) in the Department of Microprocessor Technology and Electronics within the Faculty of Engineering. He has been a full-time Professor at FHW since December 2004, after working as a Lecturer at the University of Auckland from 2001-2003 and as a project leader for PMDTec GmbH in 2004.

His research interests focus on Machine Vision applications, 3D-camera design, real-time image processing, embedded systems design, and automation in agriculture and forestry applications. Hußmann has developed innovative optical multi-sensor systems for quality control and inspection, with particular emphasis on drone-based AI sensor systems for agricultural applications in times of climate change. His work bridges theoretical research with practical industrial applications, particularly in the organic farming sector.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward drone-based agricultural applications, with significant focus on weed detection and control using deep learning approaches. His research spans multiple disciplines including computer vision, robotics, agricultural engineering, and real-time processing systems. The majority of his recent work focuses on practical implementations for organic farming challenges, demonstrating a consistent commitment to solving real-world agricultural problems through technological innovation.

• Top Twenty Faculty Teachers award (2002)
• Best Lecturer-Computer Systems Engineering Department award (2003)
• Senior member of IEEE (since 2011)

Professor Hußmann has supervised numerous PhD, Master's, and Bachelor's students, with a particular focus on practical applications in machine vision and agricultural technology. His research has been supported by significant funding, including multiple projects from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) totaling over 8.2 million euros. Current major projects include drone-based AI sensor systems for agriculture in times of climate change, water rescue drones, and aerial photogrammetric surveys.

He co-founded the Machine Vision Technology Institute (Ma.Vi.Tec) in 2009, which later became eyespec GmbH, and is the acting chairman of the registered association Initiative Bildverarbeitung e.V. Since 2018, he has led the FHW research group 'Digitalization in Agriculture and Forestry,' which resulted in the founding of naiture® GmbH & Co. KG in 2018. His teams regularly collaborate with industry partners through the Initiative Bildverarbeitung e.V., which organizes lectures where industry and university members discuss potential joint projects.