Overview

The team of the Industrial Engineering research department including its working groups 'Human-Machine Interaction' and 'Real Estate & Facility Management' researches and teaches in the field of industrialization of innovative work processes.

Research strategy

Our work is geared towards the future requirements of competitive and sustainable production in Europe through the innovative use of technology. The goal of a productive, ergonomic and learning-promoting work system design in environments of high complexity and dynamic boundary conditions is our guiding principle.

Typical fields of research for us currently include the implementation of material flow-specific recycling management processes, intuitive human-machine interaction with digitalization and automation solutions and IT-based facility management. For the design, implementation and evaluation of technical systems, we use established methods and models from the specialist disciplines of mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, robotics and computer science, in particular human-computer interaction, and are constantly developing these further.

The topics of the Industrial Engineering research area contribute to the following research priorities of TU Wien`s research matrix:

• Digital Transformation in Manufacturing
• Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology
• Sustainable Production and Technologies
• Automation and Robotics

The following research priorities of the Factulty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MWB) at TU Wien are also addressed:

• Materials, production and management
• Human-centered design, health and medicine
• Digital engineering innovation

To achieve this, our team brings together interdisciplinary specialist backgrounds and competencies and bundles them for an integrated system design in the 'people, technology and organization' solution space.
 

What are we doing?

We conduct research on the following three key questions:

1. How can the transition to a circular economy succeed competitively, systematically and quickly?
2. How will future industrial work systems be optimally designed (productive and human-centered)?
3. What impact will digitalization have on work systems and workspaces (real estate)?

Current basic research topics include, for example:

• Brain-computer interfaces as a component of multimodal interaction
• Physiological measurement methods of cognitive load
• Production Foundation Models
• Human Activity Recognition

In the area of application-oriented research, we are currently focusing on the following topics:

• Simulation and optimization of end-of-life options for wind turbines
• Automated disassembly of electronic products
• (2D) camera-based ergonomics assessment
• Integrated personal and data safety (safety and security)
• Adaptive and personalized work systems
• Barrier-free work system design

The Pilot Factory Industry 4.0, opens an external URL in a new window at TU Wien is our laboratory and demonstration area, which we use as a laboratory, pilot area and space for user tests.

Through joint implementation projects with our broad partner network, we ensure that our research remains relevant and is in constant alignment with (future) operational reality.

Which operational functions do we (primarily) work with?

• Scientists from the fields of industrial engineering, production and logistics, occupational science, ergonomics
• Maintenance experts from industry
• Experts in the planning and implementation of learning factories

Which degree programs do we supervise in academic teaching?

• Industrial Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)
• Manufacturing & Robotics
• Business Informatics
• Mechanical Engineering

How do we establish cooperation with academic and industrial partners?

• Partnership in the context of research and third-party funded projects (national, European and international funding)
• Scientific supervision and support (diploma/master's theses, industry-funded projects, etc.

The area is divided into the following research groups: