Mechatronics Pioneer Prof. Dr. Gerhard Hirzinger Receives Ernst Blickle Prize 2008

By Stefan Brill

SEW-EURODRIVE Foundation awards 100,000 Euro endowed research prize

The Ernst Blickle Prize, with an endowment of 100,000 Euros, was awarded to Professor Gerhard Hirzinger at an event held on May 8, 2009 in Bruchsal Castle. The award honoring Professor Hirzinger's outstanding scientific and applied achievements in the robotics and mechatronics field was presented by Mr. Rainer Blickle, Chair of the charitable SEW-EURODRIVE Foundation.

Mechatronics is the utmost integration of mechanics, electronics, and information technology up to "intelligent mechanisms" and robots which interact with their environment. Most often, drive technology plays a central role. But here, the "integral" design optimization and 3D simulation of such systems and components before they are built also plays a decisive role. Accordingly, research carried out at the DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, led by Prof. Hirzinger, is based on the interdisciplinary (virtual) design, computer-aided optimization and simulation, as well as implementation of complex mechatronic systems and human-machine interfaces. The institute is regarded as one of the world's leading institutions in the field of robotics.