What are the hot topics of mechanical engineering?
It's interesting to observe the impacts of artificial intelligence and machine learning on different areas of mechanical engineering. The design of sustainable, resource-efficient and circular systems comes with challenges. Combining AI and traditional modelling could offer solutions for that. In addition, automation systems are developing, and AI and machine learning could improve the control and decision-making algorithms behind them.
What are you currently working on?
My job description has expanded in recent years, and machine learning methods have become an important part of my work. They help make better decisions and higher-performance systems, because not everything can be modelled only on paper or by computer. One of my research topics is distributed, cooperative robotics, where multiple simple and cost-efficient robots collaborate in solving problems instead of just one complicated, failure-prone machine. My vision is to bring cooperative robotics from the laboratory to the real world in Finland.
How did you end up in an academic career?
Back in Germany, I studied in a research-oriented, multidisciplinary programme – a rare combination that I really liked. However, I was not sure that an academic career suited me. Later on, through student research and mentoring, I became convinced that science was the path for me. I also need to give credit to my dissertation supervisor for giving me freedom to develop my line of research.
Shortly before my academic career really kicked off, I had the opportunity for a research visit to LUT, and the reception was warm. Those memorable months showed me how much fun academic research can be, and I've been having a blast ever since.
What do you enjoy most about your work? What would you like to change?
I guess everyone in science likes problem-solving and learning. That said, I think the most important part of my work is the human aspect: working with doctoral students and seeing them grow. I enjoy teaching, and it's a refreshing change of pace from my scientific work. Honing my teaching skills helps me explain my research better and pass on knowledge important for the future.
I really like my work, so it's hard to say what I'd want to change. I hope to keep spending as much time as possible on research and teaching instead of bureaucracy. In my experience, LUT's administration is extremely efficient, helpful, and modern, which helps greatly with that.
What has been your greatest professional accomplishment so far?
My greatest accomplishments have been seeing the doctoral students under my supervision flourish, have fun, and exceeding my expectations in their research work. I’m very happy with my current job, and I've also received formal recognitions.
If anything were possible, what would you like to study? What further ambitions do you have for your career?
Science fiction authors 60 years ago predicted that automation and robots would take over mechanical work – yet, here we are. In some applications, adopting automation solutions can seem more complicated than keeping manual ones, which shows that the automation solutions have not been thoroughly thought through. I’d like to address this by studying automation methods from a holistic perspective, from system and control design to commissioning and productive operation. I believe automation promotes sustainability, because automatic control is better at conserving, generating, and storing energy than manual steered processes.
Who or what has recently inspired you?
On a recent hike in beautiful Karelia, the amazing ecosystem caught my attention. The forests, lakes, and swamps are full of specialized species that keep the ecosystem going through efficient collaboration. Each species can do a limited set of things extremely efficiently. Nature can teach us a lot about how robots could function and interact on land, in water, and in the air.
How do you balance your work and personal life? How do you unwind after work?
Discovering places in Finland still new to me takes my mind off work and restores my creativity.
Tell us something about yourself that others may not know.
In my free time, I read a lot of news on politics and economy. I like to keep up to date not only on what happens in technology industries but also in architecture and design. If we took a walk through a city and passed by a newly finished building, I might get excited about its architecture and design features.
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