Heads of Department: Prof. Dr. Alin Albu-Schäffer, Dr. Markus Grebenstein The DLR Hand Arm System . Rolling Justin .
Main objective of the department is the development and control of highly integrated, high performance, yet dexterous robots in terms of the “soft robotics philosophy” of the institute focusing mainly on manipulation and locomotion in space and terrestrial applications. Medium and long-term goal is to enable effective and cost-efficient operation and exploration in space using robotic systems as well as the transfer of the evolving technologies to terrestrial applications.
Research Topics
The institute's robotic systems developed within the department are used by the eintire institute in space applications such as "On-Orbit Servicing," "Robotic Space Assistance," and "Planetary Exploration."
The mechatronic systems, components, and methods are applied in industry, medical robotics, and service robotics as well. These key technologies allow for extreme light-weight design, system integration, and power density and therefore enable flexible mobility as well as dexterous, compliant, and safe interaction with their environment. Typical fields of application are complex manipulation and assembly tasks and robotic assistance with physical human robot interaction as well as tele-operation.
The developed technologies are commercialized within national and international projects, in direct cooperation with industrial partners and by spin-off companies, creating and preserving high-tech jobs to a great extent.