Thesis - Humanoid Robot

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Background

The Volvo Production System is built on the principle of continuous improvement, aiming to enhance both the effectiveness and efficiency of production processes. As part of the ongoing fifth industrial revolution, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is actively advancing automation, virtual manufacturing, and digitalization.

Humanoid robots represent an emerging technology with the potential to increase flexibility in manufacturing and logistics environments designed primarily for humans. In collaboration with Volvo CE, Mälardalen University (MDU) has acquired a Unitree G1 humanoid robot to investigate the feasibility and potential of humanoid robotics in industrial applications.

Thesis Description

The humanoid robot is located at MITC in Eskilstuna. The first industrial use case focuses on logistics kitting, where the humanoid prepares an assembly kit by identifying and picking parts from a logistics rack and placing them in a kit.

The thesis will focus on the technical development and evaluation of the humanoid robot for this industrial task. The work will investigate both traditional programming approaches and modern AI-based methods for controlling the robot.

Important technical challenges include integrating locomotion, manipulation and computer vision into a functioning industrial application.

The thesis may include:

• Object manipulation: identifying, picking up, rotating and placing industrial components.
• Computer vision: detecting and identifying parts and their positions.
• Locomotion: walking, orientation and path planning between relevant locations.
• Robot control: investigating and comparing traditional and AI-based approaches for programming and controlling the humanoid.
• System integration: combining vision, locomotion and manipulation into an integrated kitting demonstrator.
• Industrial evaluation: assessing technical performance, robustness and limitations in a realistic industrial use case.

The expected outcome is a working demonstrator and an assessment of the technical feasibility of humanoid robots for industrial kitting.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for master’s students with a strong interest in robotics, automation, AI and industrial applications. Practical programming experience and an interest in experimenting with emerging robotic technologies are particularly valuable.

Teamwork is encouraged, and applications from two students wishing to collaborate on the thesis are welcome.

Suitable Background

• Robotics
• Automation Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Computer Science
• Mechatronics or related fields

Practical Information

Thesis level: Master

Language: Swedish or English

Number of students: 1–2

Last day for apply: 30 November

Location: MITC, Eskilstuna

Industrial partner: Volvo Construction Equipment

Volvo CE contact: Lars Hanson

MDU contact: Ludvig Svedberg

We value your data privacy and therefore do not accept applications via mail.

Who we are and what we believe in We are committed to shaping the future landscape of efficient, safe, and sustainable transport solutions. Fulfilling our mission creates countless career opportunities for talents across the group’s leading brands and entities.

Applying to this job offers you the opportunity to join Volvo Group. Every day, you will be working with some of the sharpest and most creative brains in our field to be able to leave our society in better shape for the next generation. We are passionate about what we do, and we thrive on teamwork. We are almost 100,000 people united around the world by a culture of care, inclusiveness, and empowerment.

Part of Volvo Group, Volvo Construction Equipment is a global company driven by our purpose to build the world we want to live in. Together we develop and deliver solutions for a cleaner, smarter, and more connected world. By unleashing everyone’s full potential, we build a more sustainable future for all our stakeholders. Come join our team and help us build a better tomorrow.