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About

Martin Lingenauber is a leading researcher at the intersection of computational optics and space robotics, whose work is pioneering new capabilities for autonomous orbital operations. His primary research areas include plenoptic (light-field) camera calibration, robotic vision for on-orbit servicing, and optical navigation for space exploration. Lingenauber’s most impactful contribution is his stepwise calibration method for focused plenoptic cameras (40 citations), which provides a systematic framework for achieving high-accuracy 3D imaging—a critical enabler for robotic manipulation in space. He has also demonstrated the practical benefits of plenoptic cameras for robot vision during close-range on-orbit servicing maneuvers, showing how these sensors can achieve millimeter-level positioning accuracy for tasks like grasping and inspection. His work on the ATON (Autonomous Terrain-based Optical Navigation) system, validated through flight tests, advances autonomous landing and hazard avoidance for planetary exploration. More recently, Lingenauber has explored the human factors of light-field head-mounted displays, revealing their potential to reduce visual effort in tele-robotic systems. With a total of over 85 citations across his most-cited works, Lingenauber is recognized for bridging theoretical optics with real-world robotic applications, making him a key figure in the future of autonomous space missions.