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About

Robert Haslinger is a robotics engineer and researcher whose work sits at the intersection of medical robotics, advanced mechatronics, and human-inspired robotic systems. Based at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), he has made significant contributions to two complementary domains: surgical robotics and anthropomorphic robotic manipulation. Haslinger played a key role in the development of the DLR Hand Arm System, an anthropomorphic robot hand employing variable stiffness actuation to mimic human dexterity and robustness — a landmark paper that has accumulated over 430 citations and remains a benchmark in compliant manipulation research. Equally notable is his work on the DLR MIRO, a lightweight versatile surgical robot arm (185 citations), and the broader MiroSurge surgical robotic demonstrator, which together represent a cohesive vision for flexible, safe, and capable operating room robotics. A recurring theme across his research is sensing and feedback: Haslinger contributed to the design of fiberoptic force-torque sensors using fiber Bragg gratings, enabling haptic feedback in minimally invasive procedures — critical for surgeon dexterity and patient safety. Through instruments like MICA, he further addressed the need for cost-effective, expandable surgical tooling. His body of work reflects a sustained commitment to bridging engineering precision with real-world clinical utility.