Master Thesis - Development of a precise navigation solution in confined environments

In the Professional Service Robots - Outdoor research group we develop autonomous, mobile robots for a variety of outdoor applications, such as agriculture and forestry. The focus is on the development of an autonomous outdoor navigation solution as well as the hardware of the robots.

Robust and precise navigation is particularly important near walls, narrow passages and nearby objects. Accurate localisation and reliable path following control are essential to reach the destination safely.

What you will do

This thesis focuses on the development of a navigation solution to cope with the challenges in confined environments. The first step is to identify the areas in which inaccuracies occur and thus limit navigation in these environments , for example due to localisation errors or deviations from the planned path. Current approaches lead to blockages or a queue of recovery behaviours. The goal is to derive a more robust solution. Therefore, you will also examinate the usage of additional sensor input to ensure collision-free navigation around nearby obstacles. For your implementation with ROS in C++, you will have access to a simulation environment, as well as our outdoor robot CURTmini for regular testing and evaluation.

What you bring to the table

Background in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics or similar

Enrolled student at a German university

Profound knowledge of C++

Experience with ROS

Background in path planning approaches

Enthusiasm for mobile robotics

Fluent in English or German

What you can expect

A leading research team in the outdoor mobile robotics

You work on our robots in real life applications

Responsibility and freedom to implement your own ideas

Work with the best students in their discipline

Familiar atmosphere including Feature Friday (cake + presentations or demos)

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity.Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future.

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!

If you are interested, please upload a short cover letter on your personal favorite topic listed above, CV, current grade in our job portal.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact :

Tel. +49 711 970-1415

For questions about the content of the Master's thesis, please contact :

Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA

Requisition Number : 78486 Application Deadline :