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About

Bernhard Brunner is a prominent robotics researcher at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), whose career spans over two decades of pioneering work in space robotics, humanoid systems, and advanced manipulation technologies. His research sits at the intersection of on-orbit servicing, dexterous robotic manipulation, and teleoperation — fields in which he has made substantial and lasting contributions. Brunner's most influential work includes foundational contributions to DLR's space robotics program, including the development of lightweight robot systems and the celebrated "Rollin' Justin" mobile humanoid platform (156 citations), which became a landmark research tool for studying two-handed dexterous manipulation. His early work on DLR's robotics technologies for on-orbit servicing (173 citations) helped establish the conceptual and engineering frameworks that continue to guide space robotics missions today. Beyond humanoid systems, Brunner has contributed to critical real-world applications including debris removal through the e.deorbit mission concept, the OOS-SIM ground simulation facility (78 citations), and the Kontur-2 telepresence mission conducted from the International Space Station. His more recent work on model-augmented haptic telemanipulation addresses the unique challenges of operating robots across large communication delays in space. Altogether, his body of work reflects a researcher who consistently bridges theoretical innovation with practical space mission engineering.