Karel Kruger is an Associate Professor in Automation Systems in the Institute for manufacturing at Cambridge University. His research focusses on two (often overlapping) themes: Automation – developing intelligent systems that apply concepts from Holonic Manufacturing Systems, Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems, Multi-Agent Systems, Cyber-Physical Systems and Digital Twins; and Human-System Integration – developing technology that aims to augment and elevate human capabilities in operational environments. He has explored applications of his research in various domains, including manufacturing, automotive, agriculture, infrastructure management, mining, healthcare and maritime.

Prior to joining the Institute for Manufacturing, Karel led the Mechatronics, Automation and Design Research Group in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at Stellenbosch University (South Africa), where he also obtained his BEng (Mechatronics), MEng and PhD degrees. Karel is still affiliated with Stellenbosch University as an Extraordinary Associated Professor.

Karel serves on the executive committee of the International Workshop on Service-Oriented Holonic and Multi-Agent Systems (SOHOMA) and is a co-founder and director of the technology start-up company Cybarete, which develops human-centric short-interval control applications for the mining sector.

Publications:

https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?hl=en&user=s-obJkAAAAAJ