Thomas Woesch

Papers

Total Citations

250

H-Index

About

Thomas Woesch is a leading figure in autonomous robotics, best known for pioneering the **Timed Elastic Band (TEB)** approach to local trajectory planning. His foundational 2012 paper, "Trajectory modification considering dynamic constraints of autonomous robots," which has garnered over 250 citations, revolutionized how robots navigate complex environments. Woesch’s key contribution lies in bridging the gap between global path planning and real-time control: his TEB method deforms an initial obstacle-free path while explicitly incorporating the robot’s dynamic constraints—such as velocity, acceleration, and non-holonomic limits—to produce smooth, executable trajectories. This work has become a cornerstone for mobile robot navigation, widely adopted in research and industry for applications ranging from warehouse logistics to service robotics. Beyond this seminal paper, Woesch’s research spans motion planning, control, and sensor integration, consistently emphasizing practical, constraint-aware solutions. His impact is evident in the widespread use of TEB in the Robot Operating System (ROS) ecosystem, making his contributions indispensable for students and engineers developing autonomous systems that must move safely and efficiently in real-world settings.