The Institute for Autonomous Cyber-Physical Systems (ACPS) is part of the School of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics at the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH).

The institute was founded in 2022 and is headed by Professor Dr.-Ing. Bernd-Christian Renner. Our research embraces two core fields: Firstly, we investigate novel methods and protocols for low- and zero-power wireless communication and energy management for regeneratively powered devices in the domain of cyber-physical systems (CPSs) with a special focus on smart infrastructure. Secondly, we carry out research in underwater communication, localization and navigation for swarms of micro autonomous underwater vehicles (uAUVs) for monitoring and inspection of underwater habitats and infrastructure (such as ports, off-shore wind parks, etc.). Our research has been primarly funded by DFG, BMBF, BMWK, and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. We are always looking for bright, motivated students. Please send us an e-mail, if you are interested in becoming a member of our team.

The institute is also involved in teaching at both undergraduate and graduate level. Our teaching ranges from fundamental courses on programming to special focus courses on cyber-physical systems and networked embedded systems. There is always room for student theses and projects works. A list of open, thrilling offerings is available online. If not, or if you have a particular topic on your mind that you think fits into our research, please feel free to contact us!

Latest News

18.07.25
Our submitted paper: Taming the Challenges of Teaching the IoT Authors: Bernd-Christian Renner, Peter Oppermann, Fabian Steinmetz was accepted for the Teach-IoT 2025 workshop. We congratulate the authors.
18.07.25
Im Institut Autonome Cyber-Physische Systeme (ACPS) ist die Position eines wissenschaftlichen Mitarbeiters (m/w/d) neu zu besetzen. Falls Sie interessiert sind, dann klicken Sie bitte hier. English version The Institute Autonomous Cyber-Physical Systems (ACPS) is looking to fill the position of research assistant (m/f/d). If you are interested, please click here.
17.07.25
Our submitted paper: Scattering Algorithm for Continuous Sensing in Battery-Free Networks Authors: Johannes Göpfert, Sayedsepehr Mosavat, Matteo Zella, Bernd-Christian Renner was accepted for the EWSN 2025 conference. We congratulate the authors.
17.07.25
Our submitted paper: Harnessing Stubborn AUVs for Decentralized Decision Strategies in Communication-Limited Environments  Authors: Wiebke Frenkel, Bernd-Christian Renner was accepted for the EUMAS 2025 conference. We congratulate the authors.
14.07.25
Our journal article: Wideband Communication with Batteryless Sensors Embedded in Metal Structures has been accepted for publication in ACM Transactions on Internet of Things. Congratulation to the authors: Dr. Peter Opperman and Prof. Bernd-Christian Renner.
14.07.25
We are excited to announce that the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) has approved funding for our new research project “Scalable Acoustic Backscatter Systems in Metal Structures.” The project includes a three-year Ph.D. position and builds on our institute’s recent work: demonstrating that acoustic wireless backscatter communication is feasible in solid metal structures. This follow-up project takes the concept further—scaling it up to larger structures and networks of multiple devices. It aims to develop novel protocols for device discovery, routing, and medium access control (MAC), all optimized for the unique challenges of acoustic signal propagation through metal. The long-term vision: low-cost, maintenance-free sensor networks embedded directly into civil infrastructure—such as bridges, pipelines, ship hulls, or aircraft fuselages—that continuously monitor structural health and enable predictive maintenance. By making these systems smarter and more scalable, we’re helping to pave the way for safer, more reliable infrastructure.
10.07.25
Our senior researcher's dissertation was awarded the Gisela and Erwin Sick Foundation's Science Prize. We congratulate Dr. Peter Opermann on his outstanding achievement. Detailed information on the TUHH homepage
07.07.25
Prof. Bernd-Christian Renner presented our paper Error Correction Code for FSCM-based Acoustic Underwater Communication in behalf of his co-authors Julia Wüpperling and Fabian Steinmetz at the 2025 UACE conference in Porto Carras, Greece.
19.06.25
During his time as a research assistant at our institute, Mr. Fabian Steinmetz submitted the paper ASV-Aided AUV Navigation: A Field Study on Nonlinear Estimation for Localization of Low-Cost, Scalable Systems to the IROS 2025 conference. The paper was accepted. Congratulations to Mr. Fabian Steinmetz.