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Prof. Norbert Pfeifer

Responsibilities

Norbert Pfeifer is Professor of Photogrammetry in the Department of Geodesy and Geoinformation. He teaches on bachelor, master, and PhD level on the theory of photogrammetry and on using Earth observation from images (photos, range images, etc.) for modeling of our environment.

Research Interests

• Passive and active optical imaging: photos, range images, laser scanning.
• Calibration and orientation of imaging devices, images, and models.
• Point cloud generation and processing.
• Geometric modeling of terrain, vegetation, water surfaces, infrastructure, and buildings.
• Application of photogrammetry in environmental sciences: hydrology, geomorphology, forestry, ecology. 

Norbert Pfeifer's research interest center on images. This ranges from acquisition to exploitation in various disciplines. Concentration is put on photographic images in the visible and near infrared range and on range imaging techniques (laser scanners, time-of-flight cameras). Platforms for these images reach from satellites to hand-held devices. The photogrammetry group he is leading has a strong position in automated, data driven calibration and orientation of these images as well as in establishing practice proof methods for modeling extended areas. In the last few years, the focus shifted to modeling in the environmental disciplines, especially concerning water and vegetation.
 

Key Facts

Norbert Pfeifer received his Diploma in 1997 and his PhD on 3D modeling of the terrain in 2002, both from Vienna University of Technology. He then took a PostDoc position at Delft University of Technology, Netherlands, where he worked with terrestrial and airborne laser scanning. In 2005 he was appointed Assistant Professor in the Delft Institute of Earth Observation and Space Systems. In 2006 he became senior researcher in alp-S, Centre for Natural Hazard Research in Innsbruck, Austria. He also worked in the Department of Geography at the University of Innsbruck. Later in 2006 he was appointed Professor of Photogrammetry at Vienna University of Technology.
After an evaluation in 2009 he became full professor.

He has published 40 international, peer reviewed journal papers, alongside book contributions (10) and conference proceedings (more than 100). He is on the board of journals and conferences. Research is funded from the Austrian Science Fund, the Austrian Research Promotion Agency, the European Union (FP7, ERDF), the European Space Agency, companies and administrative bodies in Austria and abroad.