Modular sensor fusion receives the 2023 Innovation and Research Prize of the State of Carinthia

Stephan Weiss and Christian Brommer (from the Control of Networked Systems research group) have received the award in the category “Research Institutions” for their innovation “Modular Sensor Fusion”. The award was presented on 27 April by State Governor Peter Kaiser and KWF Executive Director Sandra Venus.

The patented “modular sensor fusion” technology allows the efficient and modular localisation of robotic platforms such as robots or drones. The computing effort is reduced to a minimum, which means that the processors require less computing power. This results in significantly smaller, so-called mini-robots. Today, robotic platforms such as ground vehicles, autonomous multicopters and underwater vehicles are already equipped with “modular sensor fusion”.

The system has a modular design and can be deployed quickly and sustainably in industrial settings. Using “true modularity”, researchers have ensured that all mathematical properties of the localisation method are preserved relative to the state-of-the-art. The possible fields of application are diverse. Smart agriculture is one example. When it comes to field robots recognising where to pull weeds, fertilise or place seeds, for example, the surveying technology brings key advantages. Robust and fail-safe localisation is the basis for the ability of robotic platforms to act autonomously.

Find out more:

• https://www.aau.at/en/blog/damit-wir-besser-wissen-wo-sich-ein-roboter-befindet-universitaet-klagenfurt-erhaelt-patent-fuer-modulare-sensorfusion-technologie/
• https://kwf.at/control-of-networked-systems-gruppe/