Prof. Daniel Große (43) is from Weimar (Germany) and is head of the Institute for Complex Systems. Today he talks about how his work could improve the world and his favorite card game.

What is your area of research?
Prof. Daniel Große: My research focuses on reliable electronics, something that is already shaping our everyday lives. The topic of reliable electronics, however, becomes more complex when we think about autonomous vehicles, for example. My research focuses on ensuring that hardware and software interact correctly.

Why did you choose the JKU?
Prof. Daniel Große: I am very interested in working at a strong research university that collaborates closely with industrial companies. The Linz Institute of Technology (LIT) provides the ideal infrastructure and I have already gotten in touch with the LIT Secure and Correct Systems Lab.

What do you find particularly fascinating about this area?
Prof. Daniel Große: The way theory is closely linked to real-world practices. For example, my research findings become a part of the IEEE standardization.

Why is this research even necessary, meaning how will it improve our lives?
Prof. Daniel Große: In a nutshell, it’s about ensuring that all of the electronics built into cell phones, computers, robot vacuums - and in even more complex systems – function reliably and the way they are supposed to. I want my contributions to improve our everyday lives - for us and perhaps even the whole world.

Why should students take your classes?
Prof. Daniel Große: My courses combine base-knowledge education with current research. Students also have the opportunity to experience electronics up close and in a hands-on way. I also have an open-door policy when it comes to my students.

Which are you currently working on?
Prof. Daniel Große: At the moment, I am developing new scalable methods to verify software that runs on RISC-V processors. By using so-called virtual prototypes, the software can be developed and verified one to two years before the physical hardware is completed.

What are your hobbies?
Prof. Daniel Große: I love the card game “Doppelkopf”. My wife and my three children also enjoy it so we always have four players on hand.

What else do you want to do or achieve in your life?
Prof. Daniel Große: I would like to write a really good educational textbook.