Master thesis proposal
Advancing Human-Robot Collaboration through Simulation
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
Infotiv, as part of the research project ArtWork (The Smart and Connected Worker), is continuing its investigation into simulation and digital twins for human-robot collaborative manufacturing environments. Building directly on the foundational work carried out in RITA-SIM[1] and SIMLAN[2] simulation platforms, this thesis aims to advance the platform from a proof-of-concept demonstrator towards a robust human-robot collaboration system.
The current RITA-SIM implementation relies on ground-truth simulator data for collision avoidance and task execution, and its pick-and-place scenarios are limited in scope and resilience. This thesis addresses those gaps by introducing real perception, predictive human-awareness, richer humanoid simulation, and scenarios. The goal is to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of simulation for one or several of the items below:
- Replacing ground-truth collision data with a camera-based perception pipeline for robust, sensor-realistic obstacle avoidance
- Predicting human movement trajectories in the shared workspace so the robot can plan proactively rather than reactively.
- Implementing end-to-end kitting task sequences (advance scenarios) that handle continuous operation, part variation, and real-world failure modes such as misaligned parts
- Expanding humanoid simulation scenarios and investigating live interactive control of a virtual human agent inside Simulator
- Improving multi-camera localisation and agent tracking accuracy, and evaluating machine learning models for human pose estimation and activity recognition in the factory floor simulation
The study will produce open-source contributions to the RITA-SIM and SIMLAN repository and validate findings both in simulation and, where feasible, on the physical UR10e platform available at Volvo Group.
POTENTIAL RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- How accurately can a vision-based perception pipeline detect and localise obstacles compared to ground-truth data?
- Is real-time interactive control of a humanoid avatar in simulation feasible, and how does it improve the realism and coverage of collaborative scenarios?
- How well can ML-based human pose estimation and multi-camera tracking generalise from simulated to real factory environments when trained in the siomulator?
Please read more about these projects in the open-source repositories:
[1] GitHub - infotiv-research/RITA-SIM: RITA Simulation
[2] GitHub - infotiv-research/SIMLAN: SIMLAN, Simulation for Multi-Camera Robotics
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We are looking for 2 master’s students with a background in mechatronics, electrical engineering, computer science/engineering or equivalent program (e.g., MPSYS, MPCAS, MPDSC), who wish to conduct their thesis during the spring of 2027. Applicants should be interested in software development and machine learning and have experience using Python, ROS2, Git, Linux and Docker.
ABOUT US
TechDev is a department at Infotiv who focuses on SW & HW development and test solutions. We currently consist of 70 technical consultants with diverse backgrounds and experience from many technological fields. Our employees use their expertise to provide tailored solutions to all kinds of challenges, ranging from SW development, machine learning and simulations to project & test management and way of working. One of our key strengths is the friendly atmosphere in our technical community, which provides access to TechDev's collective knowledge through internal collaboration tools and competence leader programs, continuously providing updates in the latest tech.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply for this thesis no later than 2026-12-31. Assure to attach your resumé and a short summary of why you want to partake in this thesis.
For further information, contact: Maria Alemyr [maria.alemyr@infotiv.se] +46(0)-76 890 78 72
Infotiv
Infotiv offers consultants, solutions, and tools that help our customers successfully develop and digitalize their products and product information.
Our commitments are characterized by customer focus, a personal touch, a dedication to quality, and long-term relationships. We are curious and eager to explore new solutions together with our customers.
Vision, Mission, and Culture
Infotiv’s vision is to create "A world with more innovative people creating sustainable technology for the future." To remain at the forefront of technology, we develop expertise, concepts, methods, and tools, enabling both people and technology to evolve faster. We call this Instant Innovation, and it is our mission.
Our culture and hallmark—"Warm heart and sharp mind"—is what defines us and our brand. We dare to try new things. We pursue what brings joy and passion, because that is what generates energy.
We are affiliated with Almega and offer collective agreements (kollektivavtal), ensuring stability and security for you as an employee. In addition, we offer excellent benefits such as a wellness allowance, occupational health services, and an occupational pension to ensure your well-being now and in the future. Combined with our extensive framework agreements and strong customer relationships, this allows us to maintain a long-term strategy. Together, we can develop and build your CV through the right project transitions and continuous professional development. With us, you can explore new paths and grow, while feeling completely secure in your employment.
Together, we are Infotiv.
