About the team
The Driverless team is responsible for developing the autonomous system that will allow the car to drive without a human driver. In the Driverless team, we treat the car as a robot. Designing and implementing the algorithms required for autonomously navigating a race track is a challenge suited to a skilled group of programmers, but mechanical and electrical engineers are also vital for integrating the systems actuators and sensors on the car. A significant challenge for the electrical and mechanical engineers is the construction of a rules-compliant emergency brake system that can slow the car down to a rapid stop if things go wrong.
This year, we are making a big investment into developing our first functional driverless software stack. We also hope to make great strides regarding the research and development of the many mechanical and electronic interfaces that the driverless system has on the car.
This season, LiU Formula goes autonomous. If you are passionate about robotics and/or mechatronics, you have come to the right place. Apply now!
About the work and responsibilities
There are several areas of responsibility in the Driverless team. Here, I divide the responsibilities into five categories, beginning with three software modules.
Perception
The perception module gives the driverless system its eyes. By extracting features from data provided by perception sensors such as cameras and LiDARs, the system can make observations about its surroundings.
The typical tasks for engineers working on perception is reading about algorithms in research literature, implementing them, and then testing them out with the sensor hardware.
Estimation
Using the observations from perception, the estimation module allows the system to localise itself within a map that is either given beforehand, or must be determined while the car drives around the track.
The typical tasks for engineers working on estimation is reading about algorithms in research literature, implementing them, and then testing them out in a simulation environment. The theory behind estimation (localization or SLAM for mobile robotics) is quite dense, so reading some research papers and chapters in relevant books is not uncommon for the engineers responsible for estimation.
Control
Given the map from estimation and a trajectory, the control module is responsible for making sure the car follows its course by directly controlling the steering actuators and the motor(s).
Engineers responsible for control often find themselves implementing control loops in software and tinkering with microcontrollers.
Electronic Integration
Electronic integration of the driverless system includes tasks such as wiring and writing communication software for the steering controller and other actuators. It also includes designing the PCB and software logic for the emergency brake system.
During this season, electronic integration will be a project focused on research and development, but finished PCB designs may still be produced.
Mechanical Integration
Mechanical integration of the driverless system includes tasks such as designing mountings for sensors and actuators, designing drive-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems for the car, as well as designing the mechanical energy storage for the emergency brake system. Producing the mountings for sensors in particular will involve plenty of 3D printing.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for driven and enthusiastic new members to the team. We are not expecting that anyone knows what to do from the first workshop or fits all the criteria we are looking for. Of course it is meritorious to have previous experience with similar projects but do not hesitate to apply for the team if you are a good team player, creative problem solver and want to learn new things.
Professional skills/competencies
The skills listed below are not all mandatory, but meritorious. Feel free to apply even if you don’t have all skills listed for a specific task. Applicants interested in the software side of things should however have some experience with programming beforehand.
Perception
- C++ Programming
- Basic Linux experience
- Spatial intuition (transformations in 2D and 3D)
- Camera vision (only for the camera system)
Estimation
- C++ Programming
- Basic Linux experience
- Probability theory and Linear algebra
- Estimation theory
- Spatial intuition (transformations in 2D)
- Finished a course within a relevant field. For example TSRT14: Sensor Fusion.
Control
- C++ and/or C Programming
- Basic Linux experience
- Basic control theory
- Likes to tinker with micro-controllers
Electronic Integration
- Analog electronics
- C programming
- PCB and electronic circuit design
- Soldering
- Likes to tinker with micro-controllers
Mechanical Integration
- Mechanical design
- CAD
- Creating mechanical drawings
- 3D printing
Personal skills for all tasks
- Curious
- Passionate about engineering
- Team player
- Structured
- Problem solver
Application Process
If you believe you would fit the Driverless Team, please send your application (in Swedish or English) no later than September 8th. Attach your CV and tell us why you would be a great fit for this team.
LiU Formula Student may be a car association and it is always fun to work with people who share the same interests. However, you are of course welcome to apply to our association regardless of whether you are interested in cars or not.
The interviews will be held continuously during the recruitment period. If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please write to our HR team at hr@liuformulastudent.se. For specific questions about the team, reach out to the team leader for Driverless at william.jacobsson@formulastudent.se.
We are looking forward to hearing from you!