INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Master Thesis - Multi-session global traversability Mapping for Autonomous Outdoor Navigation

CompanyFraunhofer-Gesellschaft
LocationStuttgart
Work ModeOn Site
PostedDecember 23, 2025
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
You will design an algorithm for long-term, multi-session traversability mapping of static environments and evaluate different mapping configurations. Additionally, you will implement your solution within the ROS2, C++ navigation stack and test its performance in simulation and real-world scenarios.
Internship Type
full time
Company Size
279
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
Fraunhofer IGD is the international leading institute for applied research in visual computing. Visual computing is image- and model-based information technology and includes computer graphics and computer vision, as well as virtual and augmented reality. In simple terms, the Fraunhofer researchers in Darmstadt, Rostock, and Kiel are turning information into images and extracting information from images. In cooperation with its partners, technical solutions and market-relevant products are created. Prototypes and integrated solutions are developed in accordance with customized requirements. In doing so, Fraunhofer IGD places users at the forefront, providing them with technical solutions to facilitate computer work and make it more efficient. Owing to its numerous innovations, Fraunhofer IGD raises man-machine interaction to a new level. Man is able to work in a more result-oriented and effective way by means of the computer and visual computing developments.
About the Role

Advertisement for the field of study such as: Automation technology, electrical engineering, computer science, cybernetics, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, control engineering, software design, software engineering, technical computer science or comparable.

 

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

 

For mobile robots operating in outdoor, unstructured environments with unknown terrain conditions, maintaining a consistent, global traversability map is essential. Such a map allows the robot to plan long-range, environment-aware routes and avoid obstacles effectively over extended distances.

 

For this purpose, it is essential to develop a robust mapping algorithm, that allows for continuous, online map growth during exploration and mapping operations. The map architecture must be optimized for memory efficiency, and it must incorporate effectively localization information and uncertainty, allowing for loop-closure corrections to reposition and align all maps generated throughout the robot’s trajectory.

 

Additionally, in large and dynamic agricultural environments, it is often impractical to completely map the environment in a single session. Therefore, the mapping architecture needs to allow for multi-session mapping, where the robot incrementally builds and corrects its map over several missions. It must ensure accurate integration of newly explored areas and continuously update traversed regions, to correct previous mapping errors and adapt to environmental changes.

 

Hier sorgen Sie für Veränderung

In this thesis, you will design the algorithm to perform long-term, multi-session traversability mapping of static environments. You will evaluate different mapping configurations, focusing on submap-based approaches, which divide the environment into smaller, independent submaps. In particular, you will evaluate how to relate, update and merge these maps along the robot’s trajectory to support multi-session mapping. You will also ensure that the mapping architecture can support loop closure corrections detected by an external localization module.

 

You will then implement your solution inside our ROS2, C++ navigation stack and integrate it with existing components such as the LiDAR-Inertial localization module. Its performance will then be tested both in simulation and in real-world scenarios with our mobile CURT robots.

 

Hiermit bringen Sie sich ein

  • Student enrolled at a German university/Hochschule
  • Background in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mechatronics or similar 
  • Programming knowledge and experience with C/C++
  • Experience with ROS is a plus
  • Analytical mindset
  • Enthusiasm for mobile robotics
  • Fluent in English or German 

 

Was wir für Sie bereithalten

  • Cutting-edge technology in the field of outdoor mobile robotics 
  • Hands on with our robots in Stuttgart 
  • Take on responsibility and freedom to implement your own ideas
  • Work with the best students in their discipline 
  • Familiar atmosphere including Cake Thursday

 

Wir wertschätzen und fördern die Vielfalt der Kompetenzen unserer Mitarbeitenden und begrüßen daher alle Bewerbungen – unabhängig von Alter, Geschlecht, Nationalität, ethnischer und sozialer Herkunft, Religion, Weltanschauung, Behinderung sowie sexueller Orientierung und Identität. Schwerbehinderte Menschen werden bei gleicher Eignung bevorzugt eingestellt. Unsere Aufgaben sind vielfältig und anpassbar – für Bewerber*innen mit Behinderung finden wir gemeinsam Lösungen, die ihre Fähigkeiten optimal fördern.

Mit ihrer Fokussierung auf zukunftsrelevante Schlüsseltechnologien sowie auf die Verwertung der Ergebnisse in Wirtschaft und Industrie spielt die Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft eine zentrale Rolle im Innovationsprozess. Als Wegweiser und Impulsgeber für innovative Entwicklungen und wissenschaftliche Exzellenz wirkt sie mit an der Gestaltung unserer Gesellschaft und unserer Zukunft. 

Bereit für Veränderung? Dann bewerben Sie sich jetzt, und machen Sie einen Unterschied! Nach Eingang Ihrer Online-Bewerbung erhalten Sie eine automatische Empfangsbestätigung. Dann melden wir uns schnellstmöglich und sagen Ihnen, wie es weitergeht. 
 

Ms. Jennifer Leppich

Recruiting

+49 711 970-1415

jennifer.leppich@ipa.fraunhofer.de  

Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung IPA 

www.ipa.fraunhofer.de 


Kennziffer: 82291                Bewerbungsfrist: 

 

Key Skills
Automation TechnologyElectrical EngineeringComputer ScienceCyberneticsMechanical EngineeringMechatronicsControl EngineeringSoftware DesignSoftware EngineeringTechnical Computer ScienceC/C++ROSAnalytical MindsetMobile RoboticsEnglishGerman
Categories
EngineeringScience & ResearchTechnologyAgricultureSoftware
Benefits
Cutting-Edge TechnologyHands-On ExperienceResponsibilityFreedom to Implement IdeasFamiliar Atmosphere