Tobias Arndt

Hasso Plattner Institute, University of Potsdam

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Tobias Arndt is a researcher in human-computer interaction and digital fabrication, with a focus on enabling non-experts to create large-scale, functional 3D-printed structures. His major contributions center on the design and development of accessible tools for fabricating kinetic objects—structures that incorporate motion and must withstand dynamic forces. Arndt is best known for his work on **TrussFormer**, an end-to-end system that allows users to design and 3D print large-scale kinetic truss structures. Building on the earlier TrussFab platform, TrussFormer integrates structural simulation and motion planning to help users create moving sculptures, furniture, or architectural elements that are both lightweight and robust. His most-cited paper (2018) has garnered 39 citations, reflecting its impact on the digital fabrication community. Arndt’s research bridges the gap between conceptual design and physical realization, making complex engineering principles accessible to makers, designers, and hobbyists. By democratizing the creation of dynamic, large-scale objects, his work pushes the boundaries of personal fabrication and opens new possibilities for interactive, movable structures in everyday environments.