Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alice Kirchheim will bring her expertise in AI-based autonomous systems and AI-assisted planning to the leadership of the Lamarr Institute for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. Since 2024, she has headed the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML and held the Chair of Material Handling and Warehousing at TU Dortmund University. At the Lamarr Institute, she already serves as Area Chair for the Planning & Logistics research area.
Kirchheim Designs Dynamic Logistics Systems Using AI
Alice Kirchheim investigates how artificial intelligence can support the planning and control of complex intralogistics systems. Intralogistics refers to the flows of goods and materials within a facility, such as when autonomous vehicles transport components in a factory or a warehouse adapts its operations to fluctuating orders. Kirchheim’s academic career combines computer science, technical logistics, and industrial practice. Since 2024, she has been heading Fraunhofer IML and the Chair of Material Handling and Warehousing at TU Dortmund University. At the Lamarr Institute, she already serves as Area Chair for the Planning & Logistics research division. “At the Lamarr Institute, we can closely link new AI methods to the specific requirements of complex logistics systems. This exchange generates research questions and solutions that are scientifically sound and can be tested under real-world conditions,” says Kirchheim.
Academic Excellence Under Real-World Conditions
Kirchheim’s work also demonstrates how Fraunhofer IML contributes to the Lamarr Institute’s collaborative research approach. Real-world warehouses, production environments, and supply chains serve as challenging research settings for learning systems: In these environments, AI must be high-performing, reliable, resource-efficient, and adaptable to change conditions. Within the leadership team Kirchheim will work alongside Prof. Dr. Jakob Rehof, director representing TU Dortmund University, Prof. Dr. Stefan Wrobel, director representing the University of Bonn, and Prof. Dr. Christian Bauckhage, director representing the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The institute’s leadership thus reflects the disciplinary and institutional breadth of the Lamarr Institute, which connects interdisciplinary and cross-institutional AI research with questions arising from real-world applications.