PhD position:
prototype realization and intelligence
for a novel omnidirectional UAV concept
prototype realization and intelligence
for a novel omnidirectional UAV concept
Applications are closed for this position, stay tuned on social media and mailing lists for future openings
Context
"A new generation of aerial robots
to improve human workers safety and ergonomics."
Critical infrastructures often consist of confined, dark, and GNSS-denied areas that require manual inspection by expert surveyors, posing inherent risks to human safety.
Although teleoperated UAS systems have mitigated some of these risks, they have not completely replaced manned inspection and have introduced additional overhead.
One of the challenges with these UAV systems is their inability to inspect infrastructures with arbitrary inclination angles while optimizing energy efficiency, sensing capability, and complying with special constraints in confined spaces, such as ballast tanks.
Job description
This PhD vacancy aims to address the aforementioned challenges under the vision of the EU Horizon project AutoASSESS, which seeks to leverage the latest advancements in robotics technology and AI to thoroughly inspect maritime infrastructures.
We are looking for a talented and motivated Ph.D. researcher to join our team and develop the next generation of inspection UAV systems with superior maneuverability and performance.
If you are selected, you will work on the "omnimorph" UAV concept, a multi-rotor aerial robot concept with omnidirectional motion capability developed by the Robotics and Mechtronics (RaM) group.
The objectives of your Ph.D. will be to:
develop and build a mechatronic implementation of the omnimorph concept,
design novel algorithms for energy-optimal motion planning,
provide the built platform with autonomous capability using onboard sensors with state-of-the-art robotic perception and AI.
This job position involves the following technical skills:
perception and AI algorithms
hardware realization of an existing concept and high-level software development.
Throughout the project, you will collaborate with researchers within the Faculty of EEMCS at the University of Twente, as well as other EU partners from both academia and industry.
Who we are
We are the Aerial Multirotor Robotics research team led by Prof. Antonio Franchi (Website, Scholar, Youtube).
The team is proudly part of one of the top robotics labs in Europe, the Robotics & Mechatronics (RaM) department.
Research at RaM spans design, modeling, control, sensors and perception, AI, embedded systems, additive manufacturing, and it is supported by a team of dedicated technicians and top-level infrastructures, including two indoor flight arenas, an outdoor flight testbed, many aerial robotic prototypes, and advanced 3D printing facilities.
RaM is part of the EEMCS faculty of the University of Twente (UT). The pillars of UT are an entrepreneurial, inclusive, and open mindset, with a particular attention to a harmonious and healthy development of top-level scholars and engineers of the future. The large Campus of UT offers several facilities, such as restaurants, green areas, and free access to different sport facilities and courses.
Your profile
Prerequisites:
You are a MSc graduate in the field of Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Electric Engineering, Control System Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline with a proven affinity to multidisciplinary assignments.
You have familiarity, preferably hand-on experiences, with robotics (aerial robotics) and embedded systems.
You are skilled in most of the following tools: C/C++, ROS, Matlab/Simulink, CAD.
You are enthusiastic about both hardware and software solutions for robotic systems.
The selection process will take into account the applicant’s
technical and scientific skills related to the project,
independent and proactive attitude,
collaboration skills,
willingness to
contribute to the group with their work,
improve their social and technical skills by listening to and elaborating the feedback from the group,
possess an entrepreneurial mindset to turn the developed UAV system into a commercial product,
English language proficiency.
The application of candidates from underrepresented groups is welcomed.