Thorsten Frank

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Thorsten Frank’s research centers on bioinspired robotics and automated object manipulation within production systems. His major contributions lie in developing novel throwing and capturing mechanisms for cylinder-shaped objects, a concept that reimagines transportation in manufacturing by replacing traditional conveyors with dynamic, robotic tossing. His 2012 paper on automated throwing and capturing (10 citations) presents a dual-robot system—one linear, one rotary—that demonstrates how objects can be precisely thrown and caught, opening new possibilities for flexible, high-speed logistics. Frank also designed a bioinspired 2-DOF throwing robot (2011, 3 citations) for a science center, mimicking human arm and torso motion to accurately toss objects into predefined zones. This work bridges robotics and biomechanics, showcasing how natural movement principles can enhance machine efficiency. Though his citation counts are modest, Frank’s research is notable for its originality and practical application in science education and industrial automation, offering a glimpse into future, agile production environments where robots collaborate through aerial object transfer.