Thilo Sauter

Dr. Thilo Sauter holds a tenured position as Associate Professor for Automation Technology at Vienna University of Technology (VUT) and is affiliated with Danube University Krems, where he leads the Center for Distributed Systems and Sensor Networks. He has been a pivotal figure in industrial automation research for over two decades, with expertise in smart sensors, real-time systems, and cybersecurity in automation networks. His academic credentials include a Dipl.-Ing. and Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from VUT.

Education:

• Dipl.-Ing. in Electrical Engineering (1992), Vienna University of Technology
• Doctorate in Electrical Engineering (1999), Vienna University of Technology

Research Interests:

Dr. Sauter focuses on advancing secure and efficient automation systems, including real-time communication, sensor integration, and cybersecurity for industrial environments. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in energy systems, IoT security, and industrial IoT (IIoT). Recent projects emphasize energy transition challenges, such as optimizing e-car charging and enhancing HVAC systems with machine learning.

Key Projects:

• Leading the Community Flexibility in Regional and Local Energy Systems project (2019–2023), addressing energy grid optimization.
• Principal Investigator for Decision Making and Optimization for Distributed Energy Management (2022–2024), focusing on smart energy systems.
• Co-developed the Attack Resilience for IoT-Based Sensor Devices in Home Automation initiative (2019–2023).

Publications and Awards:

With over 300 publications, Dr. Sauter has authored influential works on industrial cybersecurity, sensor systems, and automation networks. His 2014 IEEE Fellow distinction recognizes contributions to synchronization and security in automation networks. He serves as Past Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Magazine and holds leadership roles in IEEE and Austrian professional associations.

Grants and Collaborations:

His research is supported by grants from FFG (Austrian Research Promotion Agency), FWF (Austrian Science Fund), and industry partners. Projects often combine academic rigor with industry collaboration, such as fiber-optic sensor integration in process furnaces and blockchain-based energy community management.

Labs and Teams:

He oversees interdisciplinary teams at the Center for Distributed Systems and Sensor Networks, focusing on hardware-software co-design, embedded systems security, and smart energy solutions. His lab infrastructure supports advanced prototyping and testing of sensor networks and IoT devices.