Meeting Real-World Challenges: Robotics in the Department of Computer Science & AI at UTN
At the Department of Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence at University of Technology Nuremberg (UTN), innovative research is more than just theory – it’s a hands-on experience. Labs hum and flash with activity, robotic arms move in synchrony, and small autonomous “TurtleBots” navigate tight spaces through testing environments. The atmosphere is charged with focused energy: programming, testing, improving, and constant questioning. This is where technologies are born that are already shaping the everyday life of tomorrow.
Amid this intense research environment, Dr. Reihaneh Mirjalili is developing a vacuum robot that independently decides whether to navigate around a cable or vacuum up a crumb. Her research focuses on a framework that combines large vision-language models with lightweight, learnable algorithms. “I study how AI can enable robots to operate in everyday, chaotic environments,” says the Iranian-born researcher, who previously studied at TU Munich. “Language models help with understanding, but what's crucial is that machines can act appropriately.”
Being part of the "AI & Robotics" research group led by Prof. Dr. Wolfram Burgard is a unique opportunity for her. “I primarily moved here to do exciting research in Prof. Burgard’s group. However, Nuremberg is beautiful – the old town, the cafés, the atmosphere,” says Reihaneh Mirjalili.
As a network university with strong regional roots, UTN is designed to deliberately connect disciplines and bring together researchers from a wide range of fields. With the Department of Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence under the leadership of Founding Chair Prof. Dr. Wolfram Burgard, it integrates engineering disciplines and develops technological solutions to real-world challenges. A particular focus lies on intelligent robotics, semantic understanding, and AI-based decision-making—always approached in an interdisciplinary manner and with a view to societal relevance. In addition to a research focus on robotics, the department comprises seven further research groups with professorships, for example in Data Systems, Machine Learning, and Learning Technologies.
Embedded in the innovation-driven Nuremberg Metropolitan Region, which was recently designated as EU Regional Innovation Valley, with its dense network of research institutes, businesses, and urban society, it provides an environment where new ideas can be rapidly put into practice and where talents find excellent opportunities for development.
Beyond the Ivory Tower: Research with Societal Impact
Senior Researcher Dr. Tanja Kaiser and her team are exploring how multiple autonomous robots can act in a coordinated way: “We develop systems that can transport large or heavy objects together or provide assistance in emergencies. Especially in logistics, such robot groups are more efficient than individual units. I particularly value the interdisciplinary collaboration here and the strong practical connection. And as a native Franconian, I’m very happy to conduct research in such a diverse region. For me, it felt like coming home,” adds Tanja Kaiser. “The nature around the cities, the industrial network… it’s a powerful environment for research!”
Senior Researcher Dr. Michael Krawetz combines language models with visual analysis to enable robots to understand their surroundings contextually. “I work on making machines not just see but truly comprehend their environment,” he explains. “At UTN, this is especially achievable thanks to short communication paths and open lab spaces. Collaborations here happen organically. And what I really appreciate: student reserachers are not just bystanders – they’re an active part of the team. They bring in fresh ideas and are fully integrated into the research process.” Moreover he appreciates the connectivity: “Everything is close by. And with university collaborations like the FAU in Erlangen, a great academic ecosystem is developing.”
For students, the department offers a study environment that connects theory, application, and societal reflection. In English-language degree programs, they develop competencies in areas such as AI, robotics, and cognitive system design through modeling complex algorithms, designing intelligent assistance systems, or evaluating the ethical implications of technological advancements. The close integration with current research projects is actively cultivated.
In addition to cutting-edge research, numerous hands-on formats with regional partners, from regional hidden champions to global corporations, allow students to directly apply what they’ve learned. Whether in industrial robotics, healthcare, or digital mobility, students tackle real-world challenges in an ecosystem characterized by openness, networking, and innovation.
With its open structure, international orientation, and strong integration into the regional innovation landscape, robotics research at the Department of Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence is evolving into a central hub for shaping the future. Here, people, technologies, and ideas converge — with a shared goal of making tomorrow’s world smarter, more responsible, and more livable.
Learn more: https://www.utn.de/en/departments/department-computer-science-artificial-intelligence
