Roland Thietje

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Roland Thietje’s research focuses on assistive robotics and human-robot interaction, particularly for individuals with severe motor impairments such as tetraplegia. His major contributions center on developing and evaluating head motion- and gesture-based control systems that enable paralyzed users to operate robotic arms and cooperative robots independently. Notably, his work on the AMiCUS system—a six-degree-of-freedom robot arm controlled solely by head movements—demonstrates how assistive technology can restore autonomy in daily tasks and professional settings. His most-cited paper, “Head Motion and Head Gesture-Based Robot Control: A Usability Study” (2017, 51 citations), provides key usability insights for this adaptive control paradigm. Thietje also explores the biomechanical demands of head-based control, analyzing stress and strain in tetraplegic users to optimize safe, long-term interaction with cooperative robots. By bridging robotics, rehabilitation engineering, and ergonomics, his work directly addresses the challenge of workplace participation for disabled individuals. His research has practical implications for inclusive design in manufacturing and care robotics, making him a notable figure in the field of assistive human-robot interfaces.