Patrick Labenda
Papers
11
Total Citations
70
H-Index
5
About
Patrick Labenda is a robotics and mechatronics researcher whose work centers on mobile robot systems designed for urban search-and-rescue (USAR) operations, with a particular focus on enhancing robot mobility in hazardous and unstructured environments. His most influential contribution is the development of snake-like, tracked mobile robots equipped with active flippers, capable of navigating the treacherous debris fields that follow building collapses — work that has garnered 27 citations and represents a significant advance in disaster robotics. Labenda's research consistently addresses the critical challenge of "trafficability," exploring how kinematically redundant locomotion systems can be designed and controlled to traverse rough terrain reliably. His development of fuzzy logic-based shared control systems further demonstrates his commitment to practical, deployable solutions that balance autonomous capability with human oversight. Beyond hardware innovation, Labenda evaluated the real-world effectiveness of assistive technologies through field tests conducted with professional rescue teams under the German I-LOV research project. He has also contributed meaningfully to engineering pedagogy, advocating for project- and team-based learning in mechatronic and robotic systems education. Across more than a decade of research, his work has laid important groundwork for robots that could one day save lives in disaster scenarios.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2Study of efficiency of USAR operations with assistive technologies8 citations · 2013
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- 7Controlled Maneuverability of an Articulated Tracked Mobile Robot4 citations · 2010
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