PhD Research Proposal: Exploitation of short wave infra-red sensor (SWIR) in multi-modal architecture for mobile robot perception in unstructured environments and adverse weather conditions.

16 Mai 2023

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Catégorie : Doctorant

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# PhD Research Proposal

"Exploitation of short wave infra-red sensor (SWIR) in multi-modal architecture for mobile robot perception in unstructured environments and adverse weather conditions."

Keywords: SWIR, robotics, artificial perception, computer vision, adverse weather conditions, unstructured environments

## Scientific field, context and objective.

The work proposed in this thesis focuses on the SWIR (Short Wave Infra-Red) sensor for the perception of mobile robots in unstructured environments and difficult weather conditions. In automotive applications, operation in the NIR/SWIR range can improve driving safety in conditions of reduced visibility, at night or in fog, heavy rain, haze or bad weather. It includes the ability to distinguish objects/materials that appear similar in the visible spectrum, while also reducing the diffusion of dust and fog. This would allow to increase the robustness of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and make them truly autonomous in this type of environment, in all conditions and thus to operate on the long term.

The new SWIR sensors will not replace existing sensor types, including lidar, radar, and cameras, already established for ADAS systems. Rather, they will augment the capabilities of these existing sensors as part of a diverse "sensor suite" for vehicles. Integrating information from multiple types of sensors addresses the weaknesses of individual approaches, provides redundancy, and ultimately makes vehicles safer and increasingly autonomous.

Laboratory: Université Clermont-Auvergne, Institut Pascal (UMR 6602 CNRS/UCA/SIGMA), ISPR research group (Images, Perception Systems and Robotics). Campus Universitaire des Cézeaux, 4 Avenue Blaise Pascal, 63178 Aubière, France

Director and co-supervisors:
- Romuald Aufrère (Institut Pascal, Université Clermont Auvergne - MCF - HDR, 30%),
- Mathieu Labussière (Institut Pascal, Université Clermont Auvergne - MCF, 40%),
- Pierre Duthon (Cerema - Ingénieur-Chercheur, 30%)

Partnerships:
- Cerema (Équipe Recherche STI)
- INRAé (Équipe ROMEA, Unité TSCF)
- Université Laval (Québec, Norlab)

Funding: The position is fully funded by the International Research Center (CIR) "Innovation Transportation and Production Systems" (ITPS) of the I-SITE CAP 20-25, for a period of 36 months, starting preferably by September/October 2023. Monthly income is approximately 1,700€ (after taxes).

Required skills: M.Sc. student (or Diplôme d’Ingénieur) in Robotics / Automatics / Mechatronics / Electronics / Signal Processing / Computer Vision. Strong background in Robotics and Computer Vision, and curiosity to work with sensors in experimental situations. Experience with machine (deep) learning would be appreciated. Strong skills in programming would be an advantage (e.g., python, C++). A good level of English is required (Level B2+ or C1) along with strong communication skills. A minimal level of French would be helpful.

Contact: If you are interested, please send a CV, a motivation letter, master's grades and ranking, and recommendation letter(s) to Mathieu Labussiere by email at mathieu.labussiere@uca.fr (and/or to Romuald Aufrere, at romuald.aufrere@uca.fr; and/or to Pierre Duthon, at pierre.duthon@cerema.fr). Audition will be organized upon acceptance of the application.

Deadline. Application: 15/06/2023; Audition(s): upon selection of the application.