Internship hbo & wo: lidar-based “negative obstacle detection” for autonomous UGV navigation

The project: 

• Demcon defense & security systems is developing navigation algorithms for various projects and purposes, including autonomous outdoor, off-road navigation. Currently, a lidar sensor is used for local obstacle avoidance; however, “negative obstacles,” such as ditches and holes, are currently not detected. To enable safe navigation, we are researching how to detect ditches using lidar information.
• Your assignment would be to make the Demcon UGV able to detect negative obstacles, so that this can be incorporated into the navigation stack. This consists of researching scientific literature for possible approaches, implementing one or more of these algorithms and testing them in a simulated environment. Depending on robot availability, the possibility exists to test the algorithms on real unmanned vehicles. Depending on your background and educational requirements, the assignment can be adapted to a graduation assignment or into an internship.

• Studying for a BSc or MSc degree at HBO or WO, in fields such as Computer Science, Systems & Control, Robotics, Mechatronics or Artificial Intelligence; 
• Affinity with programming and algorithms; 
• Analytical and independent; 
• Enthusiastic and proactive; 
• Interested in robotics technology and autonomous vehicles;  
• Available for at least 16 weeks (preferably more) to work at our location in Enschede; 
• Experience in C++, Python and/or ROS (2) is a plus.

• A challenging and educational internship in a cooperative, multidisciplinary team where you work on the current state of the art robotic systems in the Netherlands. 
• Depending on the assignment, the possibility to test your work on physical autonomous robots (UGVs)!
• A direct day-to-day technical supervisor.  
• A market-based internship compensation. 
• The chance to experience how it is to work in a team at Demcon! 

At Demcon you will find a growing and innovative company with very motivated people. We work in multidisciplinary teams on technically highly complex projects. We share an open, informal, cooperative, and inspired working atmosphere. We like new challenges and are willing to take things a step further. 

The Robotics Competence Group is a network of engineers working on technology development and customer projects. As intern, you will be part of this group. You will get a good impression of what it is to be part of the robotics team at Demcon.