Mikkel Rath Hansen

Papers

Total Citations

107

H-Index

About

Mikkel Rath Hansen is a leading researcher in robotics and flexible manufacturing, with a particular focus on bridging the gap between industrial automation and the agility demanded by modern production environments. His most influential work, the highly cited paper “SMErobotics: Smart Robots for Flexible Manufacturing” (2019, 107 citations), addresses a critical challenge: how small and medium-sized enterprises can adopt robotic automation without the prohibitive costs and rigidity of traditional systems. Hansen’s contributions center on developing intelligent, adaptive robotic solutions that can respond to rapidly changing product lines and market demands, making automation economically viable for companies with high-mix, low-volume production. His research has been instrumental in advancing the concept of “smart” manufacturing, where robots are not merely programmable but capable of sensing, learning, and reconfiguring autonomously. Beyond this landmark paper, Hansen’s work has shaped European robotics initiatives and continues to influence both academic research and industrial practice. For students and researchers, his career exemplifies how robotics can be democratized—moving beyond large-scale factories to empower smaller enterprises with flexible, cost-effective automation.