Please introduce yourself briefly and describe your current role at DFKI
My name is Bilal Wehbe, and I am from Lebanon. I joined DFKI in 2015 to pursue my Ph.D., specializing in the intersection of underwater robotics and machine learning. I received my Doctorate of Engineering from the University of Bremen in 2020. Over the years, I have grown within the institute and am now a senior researcher.
In which of the 29 research departments do you work at DFKI?
I am part of the Maritime Robotics team at the Robotics Innovation Center in Bremen. My research focuses on designing intelligent underwater robotic systems, particularly on novel control methods that enable long-term autonomous behavior of such systems.
What are you working on at the moment, or in other words, what are your plans for saving the world?
I am currently working on several projects focused on utilizing underwater robots for environmental and biodiversity monitoring. I strongly believe that robotics holds immense potential in this field, as studying and understanding the ocean is critical for humanity as we face the challenges of climate change and global food security posed by the increasing world population.
What are your strengths and what has been your greatest success or favourite experience so far?
I would say my strengths lie in a deep curiosity to explore, a willingness to be challenged by new ideas, and an openness to embracing novel methods and unexpected outcomes. One of the most memorable experiences I've had at DFKI so far was the field trip to Abisko, Sweden, where we deployed one of our robots in an ice-covered lake. The challenge there was: Don't lose the robot!
What do you enjoy most about your job at DFKI? What inspires and fascinates you?
I appreciate the diverse research environment that DFKI offers. What inspires me every day is the opportunity to work on topics that are not only intellectually stimulating, but also of significant importance and impact for society as a whole.
If you weren't a scientist, what career would you have pursued?
If I hadn't become a scientist, I probably would have pursued a career as a musician. Music has always been a deep passion of mine, and I picked up the guitar at a young age. I still practice whenever I can and occasionally teach a few students.
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