Kathrin Wegener

Papers

Total Citations

328

H-Index

About

Kathrin Wegener is a leading researcher in sustainable manufacturing and robotics, specializing in the automated disassembly of end-of-life products, particularly lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles. Her work addresses a critical challenge: as EV adoption surges, so does the need for efficient, safe recycling processes. Wegener’s major contributions lie in developing robot-assisted disassembly systems that combine automation with human-robot collaboration. Her most-cited paper, “Robot Assisted Disassembly for the Recycling of Electric Vehicle Batteries” (2015, 225 citations), pioneered methods for handling hazardous battery components at scale. She further advanced this field with “A robot assistant for unscrewing in hybrid human-robot disassembly” (2014, 57 citations), demonstrating how robots can flexibly assist in small-lot, variable-product scenarios—a key barrier to industrial adoption. Her 2017 work on safe, productive human-robot collaboration for battery disassembly (46 citations) integrated safety protocols with efficiency, enabling workers and robots to cooperate without compromising output. Wegener’s research has directly influenced the design of recycling facilities and robotic systems, making her a pivotal figure in the circular economy. Her achievements highlight a rare blend of robotics engineering and environmental sustainability, inspiring new approaches to end-of-life product management.