TOPAS Industriemathematik, a University of Bremen spinoff, is working with Alpha Robotics Germany from Vechta on how to utilize robots to support firefighters in dangerous and complex emergency situations. Their project “Autonomous Firefighting Robotics: Development of a Hardware and Software Platform for Emergency Response” was honored with the Steinbeis Foundation’s 2026 Transfer Prize – Löhn Award.
The award is endowed with 10,000 euros and celebrates outstanding projects that successfully translate scientific knowledge into market-ready applications.
At the heart of the awarded project is the transformation of existing firefighting robots into intelligent assistant systems for emergency operations. The team employs advanced industrial mathematics techniques, including dynamic 3D mapping, AI-powered object recognition, robust sensor fusion, and partially-automated navigation. The goal is to relieve firefighters, particularly in high-risk scenarios involving heavy smoke, unstable structures, or unclear conditions, by enabling faster situational assessment, better decision-making support, and reduced exposure to danger.
“The true strength of autonomous robotics lies not in extinguishing fires, but preventing human lives from being put at risk in life-or-death situations. This award confirms the University of Bremen’s successful technology transfer approach, as it transfers world-class mathematical research into technologies that deliver maximum societal impact where they are needed most,” says Professor Christof Büskens, project leader of #MOIN. “Autonomous firefighting robotics exemplify how technologies that were developed for applications such as autonomous driving can be adapted to new, high-impact contexts – in this case, with direct benefits for emergency responders and public safety,” adds Dr.-Ing. Mitja Echim from TOPAS Industriemathematik.
TOPAS contributes its expertise in industrial mathematics and autonomous systems for this project, laying the groundwork for a powerful assistance system for emergency robotics and establishing TOPAS Autonomy Framework’s potential for future autonomous applications.
Alpha Robotics Germany complements the effort with an established hardware platform and extensive experience from actual firefighting scenarios. The close collaborations between the partners allows new technologies to be tested and validated under realistic, mission-critical scenarios from an early stage.
The project is part of the #MOIN – Model Region for Industrial Mathematics initiative, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Research, Technology, and Space within the “T!Raum – TransferRäume für die Zukunft von Regionen” (Knowledge Exchange and Transfer Spaces for the Future of Regions) funding line. #MOIN aims to bridge mathematical expertise with real-world challenges, fostering innovative, efficient solutions and strengthening the dialogue between science and industry.
The Steinbeis Foundation’s Transfer Prize – Löhn Award is bestowed annually to outstanding projects in knowledge and technology transfer. Established in 2004, it honors the legacy of Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Johann Jöhn.
Further Information:
https://topas.tech/en
https://www.steinbeis.de/en/foundation/steinbeis-foundations-transfer-award-loehn-award/
Video about the project: https://youtu.be/-5G065XlqHY
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Christof Büskens
Center for Industrial Mathematics
University of Bremen
Phone: +49 421 218-63861
Email: bueskensprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de
