Mechatronics is a discipline that is indispensable in the design of intelligent technical systems and their manufacturing processes: it provides an integrative approach that extends from the functional behaviour of the overall system to the spatial integration of the assemblies. Our workgroup deals with the interdisciplinary modelling of dynamic behaviour on the one hand and the design of control strategies on the other.

Dynamic models describe the explicit knowledge of the system (digital twin) with varying degrees of detail; they are created during system design and are used for the computer-aided conception and design of the system behaviour, for the specification of components such as actuators and sensors, and are the basis for a systematic regulation and control design. Dynamic models are also used in the operating phase, e.g. for state or parameter estimation, as virtual sensors or for state prediction.

In control design, we deal with the control of non-linear coupled multi-variable systems, with optimal controls, model predictive controls and methods for observer design; the fields of application include driver assistance systems, robotics and intelligent machines. We co-operate closely with the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Design Technology IEM.

Our research work is divided into the following areas:

• Mechatronics design technology
• Driver assistance systems
• Control design
• HiL simulation