Armin Wedler

head Planetary Exploration team Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, DLR-Deutsches Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt

Responsabile del team di Esplorazione planetaria presso l’Istituto di Robotica e Meccatronica del DLR – Deutsches Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt. Ha studiato ingegneria meccanica e robotica e ha conseguito il dottorato all’Università di Hannover sul tema “Sistemi passivi adattativi per applicazioni robotiche”. Dal 2008 lavora al DLR, dove coordina la missione di mobilità DLR/CNES/JAXA MMX, che prevede l’invio nel 2026 di un piccolo rover da 30 kg sulla luna marziana Fobos. Wedler ha partecipato a importanti progetti europei e ha guidato missioni analogiche sull’Etna nel 2017 e 2022, con oltre 50 scienziati di DLR, ESA e istituzioni italiane. Questi sforzi internazionali si concentrano su team robotici eterogenei cooperativi, fondamentali per future missioni permanenti su Luna e Marte. Promuove inoltre tecnologie robotiche sostenibili per supportare aree di crisi, migliorare l’agricoltura e contrastare il cambiamento climatico, potenziando produzione e filiere alimentari.

Armin Wedler is head of the Planetary Exploration team at the DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics. He studied mechanical engineering and robotics and earned his doctorate at the University of Hanover on "Adaptive passive compliant systems for use in robotics." Since 2008, he has worked at DLR, where he coordinates the DLR/CNES/JAXA MMX mobility mission aiming to send a small 30kg rover to the Martian moon Phobos in 2026. Dr. Wedler has contributed to major European projects and led analogue missions on Mount Etna in 2017 and 2022, involving over 50 scientists from DLR, ESA, and Italian governmental and research institutions. These international efforts focus on cooperative heterogeneous robotic teams, envisioned as central to future permanent missions to the Moon and Mars. He also promotes sustainable robotic technologies to aid crisis regions, improve agriculture, and combat climate change by enhancing food production and supply chains.

A panel with
Marilena Amoroso, head of Human and Robotic Exploration sector, ASI-Italian Space Agency
Gianfranco Visentin, head of Automation and Robotics Section ESA-European Space Agency, ESTEC-European Space Research and Technology Centre
Armin Wedler, head Planetary Exploration team Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, DLR-Deutsches Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt
Chaired by
Stefano Seriani, professor of Applied Mechanics and Robotics University of Trieste