COBOTS4YOU - Speaker Bochum

Meet the industry experts.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Daniel Schilberg

Dean, Head of the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics

  • Short biography

    Daniel Schilberg took up the professorship for Robotics and Mechatronics at Bochum University of Applied Sciences in September 2014. He is also an external lecturer at Tongji University, Shanghai, as part of the CDHAW program. Since March 2022, he has been Dean of the Department of Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering. He is a board member of BO Smart Factory and the interdisciplinary Institute for Applied AI and Data Science Ruhr (AKIS). In 2024, he became an associate professor at the Vellore Institute of Technology in Chennai, India. Previously, he was Junior Professor for Simulation Interoperability (August 2012–August 2014) and Managing Director of the Institute for Information Management in Mechanical Engineering (IMA) at RWTH Aachen University (2011–2014). In December 2009, he received his doctorate in engineering sciences with distinction. In March 2010, he received the Young Researcher Award from the DFG-funded Cluster of Excellence "Integrative Production Technology for High-Wage Countries." He was awarded the Borchers Plaque in July 2011. In 2013, he was also awarded a scholarship from the Baden-Württemberg Foundation, the Joachim Herz Foundation, and the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft (Donors' Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany) for innovative teaching at universities. From 2017 to 2021, he was an external examiner at the University of Limerick, Ireland. In 2022, he was awarded a Digi Fellowship.

While traditional industrial robots are optimized for deterministic tasks, demographic change increasingly requires systems that can handle uncertainties. Collaborative robots (cobots) offer a promising basis for this.

Jens Müller

Management | Müller and Partner Experts

  • Short biography

  • Jens Müller, CMSE®, is the founder and managing director of Müller & Partner Sachverständige PartG and has over 25 years of practical experience in mechanical engineering and automation, with a focus on robotics. As a consultant, keynote speaker, and moderator, he is a recognized expert in robotics and safety. As the first point of contact, Jens Müller (M&P) supports companies in the compliant implementation of legal manufacturer requirements in the field of automation and robotics for new machines, conversions, and retrofits. He gained his practical experience through professional positions in mechanical and plant engineering, with system integrators, and with EoAT and robot manufacturers. His qualifications include:
  • ISO/IEC 17024 Certified Expert for Machinery Safety-CE as well as for Robot and Handling Systems
  • Certified Expert (BDSF eV) and Occupational Safety Specialist (BG ETEM)
  • VDI Course Director for the Certificate Course "VDI Electrical Design Engineer"
  • Member of international/national standards groups for robot safety With his comprehensive expertise and commitment to the highest safety standards as well as a well-founded industry network, Jens Müller, CMSE® is a valuable resource for companies that want to future-proof their automation and robotics solutions.

COBOT4YOU 2023 and 2024 were already a huge success for exhibitors and organizers. That's why we'll be there again this year to highlight safety and CE compliance for visitors. We're observing that more and more companies are looking to enter the robotics sector, rightly hoping for increased productivity and competitive advantages.

Armin Lausterer

Owner | Armin Lausterer Engineering Office for Process Optimization GmbH

  • Short biography

    Dipl.Ing.(FH) Armin Lausterer is a Certified Machinery Safety Expert, safety engineer, and certified expert for machine safety and occupational health and safety (DIN ISO 17024) with over 30 years of experience in the fields of automation, robotics, and process optimization. After holding management positions at Siemens AG, Infineon, and Osram Opto Semiconductors, he founded Ingenieurbüro für Prozessoptimierung GmbH in 2013. The company offers medium-sized companies a full-service approach in the areas of process stabilization, engineering, machine safety, and occupational health and safety. Customers value his technical expertise and customized solutions for efficient automation. He is active in numerous professional associations, including the German Robotics Association, the VDI (Association of German Engineers), the German Industrial Standards Committee (DIN), and the Federal Association of German Experts and Technical Consultants. He is a sought-after speaker at specialist conferences and industry forums, providing practical insights into robotics, automation, machine safety, and occupational health and safety.

In the fight against the shortage of skilled workers, cobots will play a crucial role in the coming years, especially in smaller companies. We want to give visitors to COBOT4YOU 2025 a solid, practical insight into how medium-sized companies can best get started in this area.

Dario Leopards

Independent consultant in the field of New Leadership

  • Short biography

    Dario Luipers is a trained industrial engineer specializing in artificial intelligence (AI), collaborative robotics (cobots), and human-robot interaction. After completing his master's degree at the University of Duisburg-Essen (2019), he worked as a research associate at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences. There, he headed the "Industrial Transformation" research group and coordinated research projects, for example, on quality control using AI-supported robotics. During this time, he published several research articles on the use of cobots and the combination of robotics and AI. In addition to his technical expertise, he brings extensive leadership and conflict resolution skills, strengthened by further training in conflict transformation and emotional intelligence. He also headed the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Rheinland (Rhineland Digital Center for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) until October 2024. Since 2025, Dario Luipers has been a self-employed consultant, coach, and mediator. With his combination of specialist knowledge and soft skills, he supports medium-sized companies in the implementation of cobots and innovative automation solutions, as well as in internal conflict resolution.

In my opinion, the particular advantage of cobots is their flexible deployment options. With relatively little programming knowledge, sub-areas within a company can be automated. However, management must create the appropriate conditions and structures for this.

Jürgen Ostermeier, General Manager | Elite Robots Deutschland GmbH

  • Short biography

    Jürgen Ostermeier has been working in the field of automation for approximately 12 years. During this time, he has gained extensive experience, primarily in the automotive industry, in the body shop and body shop, and has become familiar with many different production technologies. For two and a half years, Jürgen Ostermeier has been General Manager of Elite Robots Deutschland GmbH and is responsible for the European sales region.

Moderation

Bernd Meidel

freelance journalist, presenter and media consultant


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