The Mechatronics and Automation profile is important for all of the institute’s focus areas. From the development of industrial production processes and their networking within the area of Industry 4.0 to the integration of image-based sensor technology for the navigation of autonomous robots and drones, specialist expertise from the fields of industrial automation, robotics, mechanical construction, communication technology and embedded systems, as well as dynamic systems and control, is needed.

Further information on the MSE in Mechatronics and Automation

The Electrical Engineering profile covers a very wide range of topics in its projects. Power electronics and drive engineering, signal processing and communication systems, as well as measurement and control technology, are always of central importance in our research projects.

Further information on the MSE in Electrical Engineering

According to various studies, almost 50% of electrical energy worldwide is used to operate motors. In the Energy and Environment profile, we develop and research new technologies and concepts to improve the energy efficiency of drive systems. We focus here on the development of power electronics and motors, as well as the control of specific applications.

Further information on the MSE in Energy and Environment

An increasing number of people with restricted mobility or body functions will, in future, be supported by mechatronic systems. Exoskeletons, particularly in rehabilitation, have now become fairly standard. In the Medical Engineering profile, we conduct research at the interface between people and robots, and we use our expertise from the fields of mechanics, sensor technology, drive engineering and embedded systems in our applied projects.

Further information on the MSE in Medical Engineering

The Data Science profile plays a central role in numerous areas of the institute. From analyzing large amounts of data to optimize industrial processes to developing intelligent algorithms for autonomous systems to predicting maintenance needs in production - the applications are diverse. Our expertise extends to machine learning, statistical data analysis, big data technologies, data visualization and the implementation of data-driven decision-making processes. By combining these competencies, we contribute to increasing efficiency and innovation in a wide variety of industries.

More information about MSE in Data Science

Mobile robots are used for very different applications. Important elements of their use include the autonomous recognition of their surroundings and autonomous navigation. On the basis of a map of the environment and the relative pose of a differentially driven robot, robust path planning and a trajectory-tracking control system are to be developed which autonomously manoeuvre the robot to its desired location with as low a computational intensity as possible.

In textile weaving machines, the tension of the weaving thread has significant influence on good textile quality. The thread brake must ensure the desired thread tension. Commercial thread brakes have to be adjusted manually; if the thread tension drifts for various reasons and thus negatively influences the quality of the textile, this must be detected in good time and rectified by correcting the brake setting. This MSc thesis aims to develop an autonomous brake that recognises any drift in the thread tension in good time and automatically adjusts the tension deviations itself.

In the area of Industry 4.0, the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) plays a key role in the implementation of the RAMI 4.0 reference architecture model (DIN SPEC 91354). In this MSc thesis, an AAS is to be implemented for a Panda industrial robot from Franka Emika. This robot is an important part of an Industry 4.0 demonstrator that is currently being built at the IMS. On the basis of an open asset administration shell from RWTH Aachen University, Germany, an initial version of an AAS is to be implemented and tested against the requirements of the demonstrator. It will then to be generalised, in a second step, for other applications in the area of Industry 4.0.