56th FTS Talk: Humanoid robots in applied research

Thursday, 27 August 2026, 4–5 p.m.:

AGV-Talk No. 56

Presenter: Dr Günter Ullrich, Head of Forum-FTS and VDI FA MR

Guest: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alice Kirchheim, Director of Fraunhofer IML and holder of the Chair of Materials Handling and Warehousing at TU Dortmund

Humanoid robots are becoming increasingly important in our lives. They were the subject of the last two FTS Talks: in June, I had a discussion with Professor Michael ten Hompel, and in June we defined the relevant terms. Within the VDI Technical Committee on Mobile Robotics, we have set up a new working group that will address safety-related issues.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics is at the forefront when it comes to applied research involving humanoids. The IML is headed by Professor Alice Kirchheim, whom I have known and held in high regard for many years through our joint work in the VDI Society for Production and Logistics.

We also know each other from the Mobile Robotics User Forum, which takes place every two years at the IML in Dortmund. This event is essentially the well-established AGV Conference, which has been running since 1991. Alice Kirchheim will once again be giving a keynote speech there, and I will be chairing a panel discussion featuring a distinguished line-up of speakers.

I have the pleasure and honour of welcoming Professor Alice Kirchheim as a guest on the FTS Talk at the end of August! We will be discussing humanoids, the findings on this topic at the IML, and where we expect this technology to be used in intralogistics.

We’ll be exchanging views – in a practical and direct manner.

I look forward to seeing you there!

register for the AGV-Talk

General information about the FTS-Talk (as always):

  1. Registration at https://forum-fts.com/fts-talk_neu/
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  2. Language: German
  3. Open discussion: All participants are welcome to join in the discussion and ask questions.
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Wenn Sie sich angemeldet haben, bekommen eine Einladungs-Email. Daran hängt ein Kalendereintrag (.ics) mit dem Teams-Link. Am Ende des Email-Textes steht der Teams-Link auch nochmal.