Dr. Martin Schmitz - Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prizewinner 2025
Human–Machine Interaction, Saarland University, Saarbrücken
Today’s world is hard to imagine without portable, connected computing systems like smartphones, tablets and laptops. This success story of computer science is not least thanks to advances in human–computer interaction. For instance, the shift from keyboards and screens to gesture control with touch-sensitive displays required numerous innovations – and the potential for further developments remains. Martin Schmitz conducts research into such new forms of human–machine interfaces, laying the groundwork for future interactions between people and intelligent systems such as robots.
He shows great creativity in exploring new interaction forms, such as by creating sensors using 3D printing. Schmitz also co-developed a thermal display made of heat-conducting tubes, which allows researchers to study how stimuli are perceived in virtual environments. His work opens up new possibilities in medicine, rehabilitation and industrial robotics.