Axel Hackbarth

Hamburg University of Technology, Universität Hamburg

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Axel Hackbarth is a leading researcher in underwater swarm robotics, with a focus on developing low-cost, agile autonomous systems. His most significant contribution is the **HippoCampus** micro autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), a quadrotor-inspired platform designed for swarm applications. This work, published in 2015 with 44 citations, details the vehicle’s hardware, software, communication, and control systems, enabling agile maneuvers in confined environments. Hackbarth’s research addresses a critical challenge in underwater robotics: reliable localization for swarms. His 2016 paper on a **hyperbolic acoustic one-way localization system** (11 citations) proposes a passive, TDOA-based method using anchored transducers, eliminating the need for two-way signal transmission. This innovation is key for scalable, cost-effective swarm coordination. Hackbarth’s work bridges the gap between theoretical swarm algorithms and practical, deployable hardware, making him a pivotal figure in advancing autonomous underwater exploration and monitoring.