When I learned that the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) has selected me as one of the Women in Robotics 2026, I felt deeply honored. I also felt something else: responsibility. Because this recognition is not only personal. It underscores what robotics can achieve for industry and for people, and it reminds us that the future of this field will be shaped by those who step forward and take ownership.

Robotics is about progress you can feel

Robotics has never been “just technology” to me. It is a very concrete lever to make industrial work better. When automation is done well, it increases productivity and quality, it reduces physically demanding tasks, and it creates safer, more ergonomic working environments. In times of demographic change, rising cost pressures, and fierce global competition, this impact matters. Robotics helps companies stay capable, resilient, and competitive.

What motivates me is this translation from idea to reality. Robotics brings mechanics, software and artificial intelligence together and turns human and digital intelligence into physical action. You can see the difference on the shop floor. You can measure it in process stability. And you can feel it when people’s jobs become safer and more attractive.

Making automation easier to adopt

Over the years, I have learned that the biggest hurdle for many companies is not the robot itself. It is the uncertainty around integration, process stability and economic viability. That is why I strongly believe in reducing complexity and creating reliable entry points into automation.

At SCHUNK, we pursue this ambition with a clear focus on end-of-arm expertise and scalable solutions. With our Robot PLUS portfolio, we have further strengthened our ability to enable robust and versatile automation across a wide range of processes. In close collaboration with our customers, we have also developed standardized automation cells that integrate robotics within a modular, easy-to-deploy framework, designed for seamless integration into existing production environments.

For me, this is what “progress” should look like in robotics: practical, reliable and accessible. Technology that works in real factories. Solutions that help customers move forward with confidence.

What inspires me right now

What inspires me most is the transformation the robotics industry is going through. We are moving from rigid, pre-programmed systems toward adaptive, AI-driven robotics that can perceive, learn and respond to changing conditions. This opens new application fields, including complex assembly processes that were difficult to automate in the past.

The combination of artificial intelligence, sensor technology and advanced mechanics is expanding what robotic systems can achieve in industrial environments. It is a fascinating development, and it is accelerating.

At SCHUNK, we contribute to this evolution by advancing next-generation anthropomorphic hands for industrial humanoid robotics. The goal is always the same: to combine dexterity with robustness and true industrial performance. Innovation is only meaningful when it stands up to real-world requirements.

People make technology – and diversity makes it better

Robotics is inherently interdisciplinary. Progress happens when engineers, software developers, AI specialists, researchers and customers collaborate across disciplines and across borders, sharing expertise and challenging assumptions. I see this “hand in hand” mindset as a core driver of sustainable innovation.

And I am convinced that diversity belongs to that mindset. Robotics and automation are still historically male-dominated fields. If we want to be technology pioneers, we cannot afford to overlook talent. Diversity is not an image factor. It is a strategic success factor, because different perspectives lead to better decisions and stronger solutions.

That is why I support women intentionally – not only in words but through concrete structures. At our company, we have established regular cross-functional networking events where colleagues from development, production, sales, IT and administration come together, learn from each other and strengthen one another. These spaces create visibility, trust and real connections. And they show that careers in robotics can take many forms, and they are open to women.

For me, diversity also means that young and experienced people work side by side. When young people are given responsibility early on and are allowed to develop freely, it changes the energy within a team and enables learning across generations. This is why we invest in the next generation, in their social skills, in taking responsibility, and in helping them grow into leadership roles.

Women in Robotics is therefore more than an initiative to me. It is a clear signal: the future of robotics is diverse, and it needs people who want to shape it with competence and courage. And it needs young talent that is inspired early and supported consistently, because the robotics ecosystem will only stay strong if we keep opening doors for the next generation.

A short look at my path

I studied law at the University of Konstanz and joined SCHUNK in 2005 as an in-house lawyer, advising the company on legal matters. Very early on, this role gave me a close view of what really matters in a global industrial business: taking responsibility, making clear decisions and staying close to customers and markets. In 2008, I became a managing partner and took on a permanent role in the leadership of our family business. Since 2017, I have served as CEO of SCHUNK. As a third-generation manager, I see pioneering spirit as part of our DNA. It has shaped SCHUNK from the very beginning and still determines our approach today. For me, this means having the courage to break new ground, acting decisively and clearly, and focusing tirelessly on the needs of our customers and partners.

Progress in robotics does not happen in isolation, and neither does leadership. That is why I value exchange beyond SCHUNK. “Hand in hand for tomorrow” is not just a claim to me, it is a mindset: progress is created through partnership, trust and a shared ambition to make industry future-proof. I have been a member of the German Mechanical Engineering Summit Advisory Board since 2009 and contribute there to discussions on how our industry can remain strong and well-positioned for the future. The Rotary Club Heilbronn is another commitment I value highly, because it brings people together around community and responsibility. Through my role as a Member of the Board of Directors at CAMPUS FOUNDERS gGmbH in Heilbronn, which I joined in 2022, I stay close to entrepreneurial energy and new ideas that I see as essential for long-term innovation in our ecosystem.

Strengthening robotics education is just as important to me. That is why we help equip university robotics labs where students can gain practical qualifications such as a “robot driver’s license.” For many years, we have also contributed to initiatives such as the European Robotics Week and have hosted robotics workshops to spark curiosity early and show young people what is possible in this field.

Being named one of the IFR’s Women in Robotics 2026 encourages me to keep pushing forward: with technology that creates measurable value, with partnerships built on trust, and with a clear commitment to making robotics a field where more women step into visibility and leadership.