Prof. Achim Lilienthal | LiDAR Perception | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Achim Lilienthal | LiDAR Perception | Research Excellence Award 

Prof. Achim Lilienthal | LiDAR Perception | Technical University of Munich | Germany

Prof. Dr. Achim Josef Lilienthal earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Tübingen (summa cum laude), following a diploma in Physics from the University of Konstanz. Over his distinguished career, Achim Josef Lilienthal has held leading academic and research-oriented roles across Europe and beyond, including his current appointment as Full Professor (W3), Chair of Perception for Intelligent Systems at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and Deputy Director at the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI). He previously served as full professor at Örebro University, founding and directing the Mobile Robotics & Olfaction Lab, and has been a visiting professor at institutions such as Cornell University, as well as a consultant for industry including Bosch and robotics startups. His research interests span mobile robot olfaction (gas distribution mapping and gas source localization), 3D perception and SLAM (LiDAR/radar mapping, sensor fusion, localization), human–robot interaction (intention recognition, human-aware navigation), and eye-tracking–based AI systems for human–robot interaction, driver monitoring, and safety applications. He is skilled in robotics, sensor fusion, 3D mapping, machine learning, perception algorithms, gas-sensing robotics, human-robot interface design, and systems integration enabling development of autonomous intelligent systems capable of robust perception in complex, dynamic environments. Through a prolific publication record of over 300 peer-reviewed papers, supervision of 50+ PhD students, leadership of major EU research projects and startups, and securing substantial research funding, Achim Josef Lilienthal has made foundational contributions to the robotics and intelligent systems community  particularly gas-sensing robotics, safe human-machine interaction, and autonomous perception.

Professional Profiles: ORCID | Google Scholar | Scopus

Selected publications 

  • Lilienthal, A. J., & Duckett, T. (2007). Scan registration for autonomous mining vehicles using 3D-NDT. Journal of Field Robotics, 24(10), 803–827. (Citations: 951)

  • Triebel, R., Arras, K., Alami, R., Beyer, L., Breuers, S., Chatila, R., Chetouani, M., … & Lilienthal, A. J. (2016). Spencer: A socially aware service robot for passenger guidance and help in busy airports. Field and Service Robotics: Results of the 10th International Conference. (Citations: 364)

  • Magnusson, M., Nüchter, A., Lorken, C., & Lilienthal, A. J. (2009). Evaluation of 3D registration reliability and speed – A comparison of ICP and NDT. IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA). (Citations: 348)

  • Valgren, C., & Lilienthal, A. J. (2010). SIFT, SURF & Seasons: Appearance-based Long-term Localization in Outdoor Environments. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 58(2), 149–156. (Citations: 314)

  • Stoyanov, T., Magnusson, M., Andreasson, H., & Lilienthal, A. J. (2012). Fast and Accurate Scan Registration through Minimization of the Distance between Compact 3D NDT Representations. International Journal of Robotics Research, 31(12), 1377–1393. (Citations: 303)

  • Neumann, P. P., Hernández Bennetts, V., & Lilienthal, A. J. (2013). Gas source localization with a micro-drone using bio-inspired and particle filter-based algorithms. Advanced Robotics, 27(9), 725–738. (Citations: 270)

  • Lilienthal, A. J., & Duckett, T. (2004). Building gas concentration gridmaps with a mobile robot. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 48(1), 3–16. (Citations: 210)

Mr. Luis Carlos Pereira Pinto | Laser Radar | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Luis Carlos Pereira Pinto | Laser Radar | Best Researcher Award 

Mr. Luis Carlos Pereira Pinto, Institute of Telecommunications, Portugal

Luís Pinto is a dedicated and skilled telecommunications engineer with a Master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Coimbra, where he specialized in Mobile and Optical Communications, Networks, and Services. His academic path is marked by strong performance, culminating in a master’s thesis titled “High-resolution FMCW Lidar using a directly modulated semiconductor laser”, which earned a top grade. Luís has gained valuable research experience as a research technician at ISR Coimbra and currently holds a research grant at the Instituto de Telecomunicações in Coimbra, focusing on laser chirp nonlinearity compensation and photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design using Ansys Interconnect. He is the author of a journal article published in Sensors (MDPI) and has presented his work at the ICTON 2025 conference in Barcelona. In addition, he has contributed to projects involving applied machine learning and audio signal processing. With strong technical skills in programming, simulation, and system optimization, Luís is enthusiastic about advancing in the field and contributing to the future of telecommunications through research and innovation.

Professional Profile:

ORCID

Summary of Suitability: Luis Pinto – Best Researcher Award

Luis Pinto is an emerging researcher in the field of Electrical and Computer Engineering, with a strong focus on Telecommunications, Optical Communications, and Advanced Sensing Technologies. With both academic excellence and hands-on experience in high-impact projects, Luis demonstrates strong potential for innovation and leadership in cutting-edge research.

Education

MSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Coimbra, 2022 – 2024
Final Grade: 17/20

  • Specialization in Telecommunications (Mobile and Optical Communications, Networks and Services)

  • Master’s Thesis: “High-resolution FMCW Lidar using a directly modulated semiconductor laser”
    Thesis Grade: 19/20

BSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Coimbra, 2019 – 2022
Final Grade: 14/20

  • Specialization in Telecommunications (Mobile and Optical Communications, Networks and Services)

Additional Training

  • Short-Term Course on Robotics & Applied Machine Learning

Work Experience

Research Technician
Instituto de Telecomunicações (IT), Coimbra
December 2024 – Present

  • Developed and validated pre-distortion algorithms to compensate for laser chirp nonlinearity

  • Used Ansys Interconnect for photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design

  • Characterized Fraunhofer HHI components

  • Delivered the first InP-based PIC design version

  • Optimized system performance through simulations and experimental testing

Laboratory Technician (Summer Internship)
Coficab Portugal
July 2020

Research Grant Recipient
Institute of Systems and Robotics (ISR), Coimbra
January 2023 – July 2023

  • Contributed to the “Audiology for All: A4A” project

  • Developed audio signal processing algorithms

  • Used MATLAB and Python to enhance real-time sound monitoring and analysis

  • Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to improve audio accessibility

Publications and Conferences

  • Journal Article:
    “Enhanced High-Resolution and Long-Range FMCW LiDAR with Directly Modulated Semiconductor Lasers”,
    published in Sensors (MDPI), 2025.
    DOI: 10.3390/s25134131

  • Conference Presentation:
    Presented “High Resolution Optical Ranging using a Linearized Directly Modulated DFB Laser” at ICTON 2025, Barcelona, July 2025

Publication Top Notes:

Enhanced High-Resolution and Long-Range FMCW LiDAR with Directly Modulated Semiconductor Lasers

High-resolution FMCW LiDAR using a directly modulated semiconductor laser