Alexander von Hoffmann

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander von Hoffmann offers courses at the intersection of technology, design, and interaction. His focus lies on the technical and creative foundations of auditory systems.
In his teaching, Prof. von Hoffmann combines technical depth with creative practice and places particular emphasis on clear, interactive knowledge transfer – with an eye toward future applications in media, mobility, and industry.

Alexander von Hoffmann is a professor and researcher in human-centred interaction with intelligent and automated systems. His research combines engineering, Human Factors, interaction design and experimental user research, with particular expertise in multimodal human-machine interaction, auditory interfaces, affective perception and user-centred evaluation.

At the Ohm User Experience Center (Ohm-UX) and in his laboratory for mechatronic human-machine interfaces, he develops multimodal interaction concepts that use light and sound to enable intuitive communication between humans and machines. A key focus is the use of artificial intelligence to generate affective audio signals and adaptive lighting systems that enhance the transparency and acceptance of automated decision-making.

His research also includes sound design in digital games to improve user experience (UX), and will soon expand to AI-based acoustic fault detection in mechatronic components at the TTZ Nürnberger Land.

His work addresses how intelligent machines, robots and automated vehicles can communicate state, intent, urgency and uncertainty to users in intuitive and understandable ways. Current research includes multimodal interaction concepts using sound and light, AI-generated affective signals, auditory Human-Robot Interaction, industrial UX and acoustic condition monitoring. 

Core expertise

• Human Factors & Human-Machine Interaction
• Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)
• Human-AI Interaction
• Multimodal HMI
• Auditory Interaction & Sonic Interaction Design
• UX and usability evaluation
• Affective perception
• Experimental user studies
• Automotive HMI and automated mobility
• Industrial human-centred automation
• AI-supported adaptive interfaces

Potential contribution to International Research consortia:

work packages and tasks concerning:

• design and evaluation of human-centred visual and auditory user interfaces;
• communication of system state, intent and uncertainty;
• multimodal combinations of auditory, visual and other interaction modalities;
• experimental Human Factors and UX studies;
• laboratory and application-oriented validation;
• interaction concepts for AI, robotics, automated mobility and Industry 5.0;
• development of design guidelines and recommendations.

A particular strength is the combination of technical interface development and empirical evaluation with human participants, allowing interaction concepts to be designed, implemented and experimentally validated within the same research environment.

Current research assets

UX Sound and Auditory Stimuli Database (UXSAS)
A growing research repository containing more than 100 Earcons, Auditory Icons and UX sounds, including stimuli developed and evaluated for affective properties and interaction research. 

Auditory Human-Robot Interaction
Ongoing research investigates nonverbal auditory communication for industrial robots, including intuitive signalling of robot states, intentions and warnings under realistic working conditions.

Multimodal Interaction
Research at the Ohm User Experience Center investigates combinations of sound and light for intuitive interaction with automated and intelligent systems.

Selected recent publication

Schmid, T.; Lohse, M.; Winkelmann, S.; von Hoffmann, A.
Nonverbal Auditory Communication for Human–Robot Interaction in Industry 5.0: A Scoping Review.
Robotics 2026, 15(7), 121.
DOI: 10.3390/robotics15070121. MDPI

The review systematically maps nonverbal auditory communication in Human-Robot Interaction and identifies research gaps relevant to Industry 5.0. 

Horizon Europe topics of particular interest

• Human-centred AI
• Human-AI collaboration
• AI-enabled robotics
• Human-Robot Interaction
• Industry 5.0 / human-centred manufacturing
• Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM)
• Automotive HMI
• Safe and trustworthy automation
• Multimodal interaction
• Inclusive and accessible interfaces

Potential consortium role

Human Factors / HMI / multimodal interaction research partner responsible for user-centred design, experimental validation, trust, perceived safety and interaction evaluation.

Audio Technology
Module MPO2 “Audio and Video Technology” in the Bachelor's degree program Media Engineering (B-ME)(taught in German language)
→ Introduction to acoustic fundamentals, digital audio technology, and the technical implementation of professional audio production. 

Practical Seminar
Module PS in the Bachelor's degree program Media Engineering (B-ME) (taught in German language)
→ Accompanying course for the practical study semester. The goal is to foster presentation skills and the ability to reflect – including through the use of the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method for structured processing and facilitation of practice-oriented tasks. 

Light Simulation
Module PHO5/1 “LED Lighting Technology and Light Simulation” in the Master's degree program Electronic and Mechatronic Systems (MA-SY) (taught in German language)
→ Teaching methods for raytracing simulation and analysis of lighting systems in the context of modern LED technologies.

Fundamentals of Computer-Based Production Techniques in Electronic Music
Specialized elective (FWPF), Group 2, including in the Bachelor's degree program Media Engineering (B-ME) (in Winter taught in German language, in Summer taught in English language)
→ Introduction to digital production processes in electronic music – including workflows, software tools, and creative design approaches.

Electronic Music Production
Course offered as part of the Ohm International Summer School (Ohm-ISS) (taught in englisch language)
→ English-language introductory course on the history, technology, and practice of electronic music – covering topics such as sound synthesis, DAWs, effects, and song arrangement.

 An overview of Prof. von Hoffmann’s recent publications can be found here:
OPUS - The Ohm’s publications server
ORCID
Google Scholar