TUM Is Expanding Its Strategic Partnership With MIT

The Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence at the Technical University of Munich (TUM MIRMI) and the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT CSAIL) are expanding their collaboration in robotics and artificial intelligence. The Bavarian Ministry of Science is initially funding the strategic partnership with 1.6 million euros.

Through joint research projects, scientists from TUM MIRMI and MIT CSAIL are developing practical applications in AI-based robotics. To this end, researchers from TUM and MIT will spend three months each year at the partner institution, designing, testing and validating innovative technologies onsite.

Two leading research centers in robotics and AI are joining forces

MIT CSAIL Director Daniela Rus, who yesterday received the Bavarian Minister-President's High-Tech Prize, is one of the world's leading robotics researchers. She is regarded as a pioneer in the field of highly efficient neural networks (known as 'liquid neural networks') and robot collectives. She is a trailblazer in soft robotics, human-centered autonomous driving and AI modelled on the human brain.

With just under 80 professors, TUM MIRMI is one of the world's largest robotics and AI institutes. The Munich region is also regarded as one of the most important ecosystems for robotics and AI in Europe. Through its partnership with MIT, TUM is further strengthening its global expertise in robotics and AI. By bringing together renowned researchers from TUM and MIT, the partnership also enhances the region's appeal to young talent.

Research tandems: Understanding unfamiliar environments and making construction processes more efficient

• In the first tandem, researchers led by Prof. Vincent Sitzmann of MIT, along with Prof. Achim Lilienthal and Dr Daniel Dücker from TUM, are working on the development of new AI models for robotic systems that learn from large amounts of unstructured sensor data. Among other approaches, generative AI based on large video models will be used for flexible path planning in complex and unfamiliar environments. The aim is to achieve better generalization to new tasks and previously unseen scenarios.

• In the second tandem, the research team - led by Prof. Mina Konaković Luković of MIT and Prof. Kathrin Dörfler from TUM - is focusing on developing AI-supported methods for sustainable robotic manufacturing processes. The aim is to combine computational design, digital twins and robotic manufacturing.

Dr. Daniel Dücker from TUM, the scientific coordinator of the strategic partnership, hopes the partnership will provide "a further boost to our research and an important impetus for closer collaboration". Even before the partnership was established, the MIRMI researcher had already conducted research at MIT.

Develop forward-looking solutions in AI-based robotics

Markus Blume, Bavarian Minister of State for Science, said: "MIT and TUM - a perfect match! MIT CSAIL stands for scientific excellence and boldly shaping the future. This fits perfectly with TUM. Our shared vision: to improve people's lives through high-tech innovation. Our high-tech award winner, robotics pioneer and CSAIL Director Daniela Rus is a champion of international collaboration. It's wonderful that she embodies the connection between Boston and Bavaria, between MIT and TUM, through this partnership."

TUM President Prof. Hofmann said: "I am delighted that, through the strategic partnership between TUM MIRMI and MIT CSAIL, we have now secured one of the best and most experienced partners in the field of robotics and AI. In the first research tandems, we will now work together to develop forward-looking solutions in the field of AI-based robotics."

The Executive Director of MIRMI and TUM spokesperson for the strategic partnership, Prof. Lorenzo Masia, says: "In partnership with MIT and the associated research tandems, we have found a new form of collaboration that offers our early-career researchers, in particular, an ideal opportunity for exchange at the highest scientific level."

Daniela Rus, Director of MIT CSAIL and spokesperson for the strategic partnership on behalf of MIT, explains: "MIT and TUM share a commitment to advancing science that matters: science that is both visionary and deeply connected to real-world impact. Through this collaboration, we have an opportunity to combine MIT's and TUM's synergistic and complementary strengths: long-term scientific ambition, world-class research talent, close engagement with industry, and living labs where new ideas can be tested, refined, and brought to life. I have long admired the work of TUM MIRMI, and I am very much looking forward to working with Prof. Lorenzo Masia and his team to grow this partnership and help shape the future of AI, robotics, and human-centered technology."