ESA BIC Breakfast x AVIASPACE Bremen e.V. Roadshow
28.03.2025
Introducing: TOPAS, Bringing Mathematical Intelligence to Autonomous Systems
Autonomous systems are becoming increasingly important across multiple industries, from robotics and aerospace to industrial automation. While large corporations have the resources to develop their own intelligent control systems, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle to integrate advanced autonomy into their products. TOPAS, a new space startup situated in Bremen, wants to make autonomous systems simpler with their modular autonomy software.
Founded in 2021 by Dr-Ing. Mitja Echim, Prof. Dr Christof Büskens and Dr Matthias Knauer, TOPAS emerged from a research group at the University of Bremen, specialising in industrial mathematics. The team recognised the crucial gap: research in applied mathematics and autonomous systems was advancing rapidly, but its transition into real-world applications was often slow and complex.
Mathematics plays a fundamental role in autonomy, from sensor fusion and decision-making to motion planning and control. However, many companies lack the expertise to develop and implement complex algorithms. The TOPAS team saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between research and industry by providing SMEs with access to advanced autonomy software.
“We were planning the structure of TOPAS for a few years before officially founding the company,” explains Mitja Echim. “Mathematics is a very broad field, but we chose to focus on autonomous systems because they require intelligent algorithms that many smaller companies cannot develop on their own.”
TOPAS provides modular autonomy software that allows companies to integrate intelligent decision-making capabilities into their robots, vehicles and other autonomous platforms. Their solutions are designed to be flexible and adaptable, making it easier for businesses to deploy autonomy in a way that fits their specific requirements.
Planning for the Future with ESA BIC Northern Germany
TOPAS is based in Bremen, Germany, a city known for its strong aeronautics and space industry and concentration of research institutions. The city is also host to the ESA BIC Northern Germany, a business incubator for young space startups supported by the European Space Agency (ESA), which helps startups refine and commercialise their space-related technologies.
TOPAS joined the ESA BIC Northern Germany to expand their expertise into space applications. Many of the algorithms they develop have potential uses in space robotics, planetary exploration, and satellite operations. The programme provides mentorship, funding and access to a strong network of space industry partners, helping TOPAS refine its business model and explore new markets.
With years of experience in applied research and close partnerships with industry, TOPAS is already well-integrated into Bremen’s innovation ecosystem. However, as customer demand grows and the company moves beyond prototyping, they recognise the need to develop a scalable business model.
“Bremen is a fantastic place for working directly with companies. Finding partners was never the challenge, but most of us are academics and we haven’t yet been forced to think of the business aspect of TOPAS,” says Shruti Patel, Head of Autonomous Systems at TOPAS. “We want a sustainable business model. Not just making proof of concepts for customers, but really bringing the technology readiness level high enough that our customers can enter the market with it. ESA BIC Northern Germany forces us to work towards these milestones and deliverables, but also provides the mentorship we need.”
A Versatile Framework for Autonomous Systems
TOPAS specialises in autonomous frameworks – modular software systems that allow robots, vehicles and other autonomous platforms to perceive their environment, make decisions and execute tasks independently. Their solutions are designed for companies that build drones, industrial robots and mobile machines but lack the expertise to develop their own intelligent control systems.
At the core of TOPAS’ technology is sensor fusion, where data from multiple sensors – such as cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and GPS – is combined to create a precise model of the environment. This enables an autonomous system to generate a optimal movement plan and react accordingly to changing conditions. The framework is highly modular, meaning that customers can select specific functionalities they need, whether its perception, navigation, or decision-making.
Unlike other companies that sell pre-packaged autonomy software, TOPAS takes a service-oriented approach, working closely with customers to tailor solutions to their specific needs. “Adding to this service aspect, what is also important is that it’s difficult for customers who have a rough idea of what systems should do to also have an overview of the capabilities of current technology,” explains Carsten Rachuy, Head of Software and Algorithms at TOPAS. “Technology is ever-evolving, so you have to be aware of certain technologies and systems that become available or outdated. One of the service aspects is also, together with the customer, to find out what kind of sensor setup they need in order to do this task or what kind of environment representation.”
TOPAS Autonomy Framework at a glance. Photo credit: TOPAS ©2025
This collaborative approach helps companies navigate complex technological decisions, particularly when it comes to choosing the right sensors and autonomy features for their specific operating environment. “For example, is your robot going to be indoors or outdoors?” Carsten continues, “especially when it comes to localisation, there are certain things you can do outside that won’t work inside. It’s very important to provide this kind of service and knowledge to the customer, to show them their options and advise them on what their solution should look like. It’s really tailored to the problem.”
One example of this adaptability is a firefighting robot developed by a robotics team of 12. Initially, the robot was remotely controlled, enabling firefighters to operate it safely from a distance. However, to scale its use, the robot needed more autonomy – allowing a single operator to supervise multiple robots instead of controlling each one individually.
“For this, each robot needs a certain level of autonomy,” explains Mitja. The team at TOPAS provided decision-making software that allowed the robot to interpret sensor data, map its surroundings and autonomously navigate through fire-affected areas. The adaptability of the software means that customers can integrate autonomy into various systems without starting from scratch.
Applying Autonomy to Space Systems
While TOPAS’ solutions are widely used in terrestrial robotics, much of their expertise comes from solving mathematical challenges in space industry. Spacecraft, rovers, and satellites operate in remote, unpredictable environments, where real-time human intervention is often impossible. This makes autonomy a critical requirement for space missions.
Through participation in the ESA BIC Northern Germany incubation programme, TOPAS is expanding its connection to space technology. “The ESA BIC programme is really part of an ecosystem here in Bremen, so we’ve heard about it many times and we have contact with many alumni of the programme. We have projects together with Drift+Noise, Trilitec and Marble Imaging. So we’ve always heard good things about it, but the main reason for joining is, firstly, because we want to extend our services into space. Our origin was always space applications and algorithms,” says Mitja.
Team TOPAS. Photo credit: TOPAS ©2025
Building the Future of Intelligent Autonomy
Over the next year, TOPAS aims to expand its customer base and further develop its autonomy framework into a software-as-a-service model. The goal is to make intelligent autonomy more accessible to SMEs that lack in-house AI and robotics expertise.
“We have our first customer for the autonomy framework, and we want to strengthen that collaboration,” Mitja explains. “We also aim to bring in two more customers in the coming year. Seeing real robots operating with our framework is our primary focus.”
The team is also working to grow the Bremen Autonomous Systems Meetup, an intiative of theirs that serves as a networking hub for researchers and industry professionals working in autonomy. The goal is to connect more than 200 people across Bremen’s technology ecosystem and facilitate knowledge exchange in both robotics and AI.
By providing a flexible, research-driven approach to autonomy, TOPAS is helping small and mid-sized companies integrate intelligent decision-making capabilities into their systems. Whether in firefighting, space exploration, agriculture, or industrial automation, their modular software framework is making advanced autonomy more accessible, adaptable and scalable.
With its strong roots in Bremen’s innovation ecosystem and its growing network through ESA BIC Northern Germany, TOPAS is poised to become a leader in mathematics-driven autonomy solutions – helping businesses navigate the complex challenges of robotics and AI with intelligent, customisable software.
If you are interested in joining the Bremen Autonomous Systems Meetup, see info here.
If you want to learn more about TOPAS:
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About ESA BIC Northern Germany
The Incubation Centre of the European Space Agency in Northern Germany (ESA BIC Northern Germany) is headquartered jointly with the Bremen aeronautics and space industries association at the Bremer Innovations- und Technologiezentrum BITZ as well as the Digihub Industry – two of the largest innovation and technology centres for high-tech companies and startups in the German federal state of Bremen. The ESA BIC Northern Germany brings new startup opportunities to the region and thus strengthens the aeronautics and space sector in the German federal state of Bremen. AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V. supports the incubatees with its network, public relations work and targeted coaching not only during the incubation period, but also afterwards as alumni. STARTHAUS Bremen & Bremerhaven is the central point of contact in the Bremen startup ecosystem and supports the startups on all issues relating to business development and financing. The ESA BIC Northern Germany is managed by Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen (AZO), an international networking and branding company for the European space programmes that also manages ESA BIC Bavaria with three locations in southern Germany.
Since 2021, ESA BIC Northern Germany has also been offering its service to space-related startups in Schleswig-Holstein. The Technikzentrum Lübeck with GATEWAY49, AviaSpace Bremen and AZO jointly operate this extension of ESA BIC Northern Germany. As of June 2024, ESA BIC Northern Germany also offers its services to space-related startups in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The Innovation Port Wismar with AviaSpace Bremen and AZO jointly operate this extension of ESA BIC Northern Germany. There are also plans to extend ESA BIC Northern Germany to the northern German federal states of Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Berlin-Brandenburg.
Technical support of the ESA BIC Northern Germany, is offered by Fraunhofer IFAM, German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence DFKI, DLR-RY Institute for Space Systems, Alfred-Wegener Institute for Polar Research AWI, Universities in the State of Bremen incl. many institutes such as IUP Institute for Environmental Physics, Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity ZARM, TH Lübeck, University Lübeck, Life Science Nord, Airbus Group, ArianeGroup, AES Aircraft Elektro/Elektronik System, Dräger, DSI Aerospace, Possehl, and OHB.
