Project Database

This page contains the database of possible research projects for master and bachelor students in the Biorobotics Laboratory (BioRob). Visiting students are also welcome to join BioRob, but it should be noted that no funding is offered for those projects (see https://biorob.epfl.ch/students/ for instructions). To enroll for a project, please directly contact one of the assistants (directly in his/her office, by phone or by mail). Spontaneous propositions for projects are also welcome, if they are related to the research topics of BioRob, see the BioRob Research pages and the results of previous student projects.

Search filter: only projects matching the keyword Embedded Systems are shown here. Remove filter

Amphibious robotics
Computational Neuroscience
Dynamical systems
Human-exoskeleton dynamics and control
Humanoid robotics
Miscellaneous
Mobile robotics
Modular robotics
Neuro-muscular modelling
Quadruped robotics


Miscellaneous

739 – Radio communication tests on 169.4 MHz
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Category:semester project
Keywords:Electronics, Embedded Systems, Firmware, Radio
Type:10% theory, 70% hardware, 20% software
Responsible: (MED 1 1025, phone: 36630)
Description:

Mobile robots often communicate over the 2.4 GHz band using standard off-the-shelf technologies as WiFi or Bluetooth, or sometimes custom radio protocols either on the 2.4 GHz or 868 MHz ISM bands, both on the UHF part of the radio spectrum. This project aims at evaluating the possibility of using the 169.4 MHz band (VHF) for controlling robots and obtaining telemetry, as it might give much better results in terms of range and transmission through obstacles or water, even if the available bandwidth is much more restricted.

The project involves:

  • Identifying an appropriate RF module/chip
  • Creating a printed circuit if necessary
  • Using a microcontroller to control the RF module and obtain bidirectional communication
  • Experiments for range in open air, through obstacles and underwater

Requirements: experience with digital electronics and basic understanding of radio communications and related concepts (e.g. transmission lines, antennas). Previous experience with radio frequency and/or PCB design is a plus.



Last edited: 11/06/2024

Mobile robotics

651 – Autonomous Drifting on Scaled Vehicle Hardware
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Category:semester project, master project (full-time), internship
Keywords:C++, Control, Electronics, Embedded Systems, Experiments, Learning, Optimization
Type:10% theory, 60% hardware, 30% software
Responsible: (MED 1 1024, phone: 37506)
Description:Controlling vehicles at their limits of handling has significant implications from both safety and autonomous racing perspectives. For example, in icy conditions, skidding may occur unintentionally, making it desirable to safely control the vehicle back to its nominal working conditions. From a racing perspective, drivers of rally cars drift around turns while maintaining high speeds on loose gravel or dirt tracks. In this project, the student will compare several approaches for high speed, dynamic vehicle maneuvers, including NMPC with a standard dynamic bicycle model, NMPC with a dynamic bicycle model + GP residuals, NMPC with learned dynamics (i.e. a NN), and lastly a pure model-free reinforcement learning approach. All approaches will be tested in both simulation as well as on a scaled vehicle hardware platform. To apply, please email Guillaume with your motivation, CV, and briefly describe your relevant experience (i.e. with machine learning, software engineering, etc.).

Last edited: 09/01/2024 (revalidated 18/07/2024)

2 projects found.