About

Dirk Wollherr is a prominent robotics researcher whose work sits at the intersection of human-robot interaction (HRI), autonomous navigation, and intelligent robotic systems. His most influential contribution, a 2008 survey on human-robot collaboration (479 citations), helped shape foundational understanding of how robots can transition from structured industrial settings into complex, human-populated environments. This work remains a cornerstone reference for researchers entering the field. Wollherr's research spans critical challenges in modern robotics: robust 3D environment perception, including surface normal estimation for object recognition (296 citations); real-time gesture-based interaction using depth sensors like the Kinect (174 citations); and the development of socially aware autonomous robots, exemplified by the Autonomous City Explorer project (110 citations). His investigations into social acceptance methodology and facial expression mirroring reveal a nuanced interest in how humans psychologically respond to robotic systems. On the technical side, Wollherr has advanced probabilistic mapping frameworks for dynamic environments, loop closure detection for SLAM, and safety-aware trajectory planning. His adaptive neural control work for flexible-joint manipulators further demonstrates his breadth. Collectively, his research has accumulated well over 1,600 citations, establishing him as a leading voice in making robots safer, smarter, and more naturally integrated into human society.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

31
H-Index
122
Papers
3,571
Total Citations
29
Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
HUMAN–ROBOT COLLABORATION: A SURVEY
479 citations · 2008
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2011 (12 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 138
🏛 Institutions: Technical University of Munich, Munich University of Applied Sciences, BMW (Germany), Technische Universität Berlin, Institute of Automation, Institute for Advanced Study

Top Papers

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Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
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