Martin Voelkle

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Papers

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About

Martin Voelkle is a pioneering researcher in autonomous mobile robotics, with a particular focus on multi-robot coordination and construction in challenging, resource-constrained environments. His most influential work introduced "Planner9," a hierarchical task network (HTN) planner designed for groups of miniature mobile robots, which has garnered 8 citations and laid foundational groundwork for distributed robotic planning. Voelkle’s research addresses the critical challenge of autonomous construction by mobile robots in unknown environments with scarce resources—a scenario with profound implications for space exploration, hazardous site operations, and the building industry. Unlike conventional approaches that assume flat terrain and abundant materials, his work tackles realistic constraints, enabling robots to construct structures with minimal resources and no prior environmental knowledge. This contribution stands out for its practicality and foresight, pushing beyond simplified laboratory conditions toward real-world deployment. Voelkle’s achievements highlight his commitment to advancing robotic autonomy in extreme settings, making his research essential reading for students and engineers interested in field robotics, multi-agent systems, and construction automation.