Inaugural lectures bring together robotics and AI law

On October 7, 2026, two distinct fields of expertise took center stage at HOK | University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol. In their inaugural lectures, Prof. (FH) Dr. habil. Ngoc Thinh Nguyen and Hon.-Prof. (FH) Mag. Simon Pöschl explored current questions in robotics and autonomous control, as well as copyright law. While Nguyen demonstrated how mathematical optimization supports the development and control of autonomous systems, Pöschl examined the conditions under which short texts can be protected by copyright.

From Mathematical Theory to Safe Movement

How can a robot find the best route through a dynamic environment? How can energy consumption be reduced without compromising safety? These are among the questions Ngoc Thinh Nguyen addresses in his research. His inaugural lecture, “Optimization in Robotics & Autonomous Systems: From Theory to Practice,” explored the role of optimization methods throughout the development process, from robot design and motion planning to control.

“What appears to be smooth movement or intelligent behavior is actually the result of carefully designed cost functions, constraints, and algorithms,” Nguyen explains. Optimization is not simply about finding the fastest or most energy-efficient solution. Autonomous systems must also meet safety requirements and maintain stability and reliability.

Using a range of applications, Nguyen demonstrated how these methods can be translated into practical solutions. Examples include robotic ultrasound systems, autonomous vehicles, and aerial drones. One major challenge is computing suitable solutions quickly enough. An autonomous system may need to respond to an obstacle or adapt its planned movement to changing conditions—sometimes within milliseconds.

Turning Research into Practical Applications

Nguyen's work on optimization and control began during his doctoral research, which focused in particular on motion planning and control for multicopter drones operating under challenging conditions, such as wind gusts or motor failure. He earned his PhD in Automation and Production from Grenoble INP in 2019 and joined the Institute for Robotics and Cognitive Systems at the University of Lübeck as a postdoctoral research fellow in 2020. There, he contributed to projects involving AI-driven robotics, autonomous vehicles, and medical robotics. In 2025, he completed his habilitation in Robotics and Automation.

At HOK, Nguyen aims to bring cutting-edge research more directly into teaching and foster an internationally oriented, hands-on engineering culture. He wants students to understand not only how technical systems work, but also why particular design and algorithmic decisions matter in real-world applications. He also hopes to expand international collaborations and joint research projects, creating opportunities for students to engage with concrete research challenges.

When Are Short Texts Protected by Copyright?

Hon.-Prof. (FH) Mag. Simon Pöschl addressed a different set of questions in his inaugural lecture, “Im Anfang war das Wort – zur Schutzfähigkeit kurzer Sprachwerke” (“In the Beginning Was the Word: Copyright Protection for Short Texts”). His talk focused on the conditions under which short linguistic expressions can qualify for copyright protection. Aphorisms and concise formulations raise questions in this area, as do quotations appearing in social media posts created with the help of artificial intelligence.

Hon.-Prof. (FH) Mag. Simon Pöschl addressed a different set of questions in his inaugural lecture, “Im Anfang war das Wort – zur Schutzfähigkeit kurzer Sprachwerke” (“In the Beginning Was the Word: Copyright Protection for Short Texts”). His talk focused on the conditions under which short linguistic expressions can qualify for copyright protection. Aphorisms and concise formulations raise questions in this area, as do quotations appearing in social media posts created with the help of artificial intelligence.

Pöschl examined the topic through decisions by Austrian, German, and European courts. Particular attention was given to recent case law concerning copyright liability for linguistic output generated by large language models (LLMs). His lecture addressed an issue that is becoming increasingly relevant to digital communication as generative AI tools become more widely used.

Together, the two inaugural lectures highlighted the breadth of contemporary academic inquiry, from the mathematical foundations of safe autonomous systems to the legal boundaries of linguistic creativity. Both demonstrated how scientific developments are closely connected to practical challenges in technology and society.

Links:

• Drone Engineering | ft
• Marketing & Communication Management | ft
• Research projects at HOK | Website