Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering

Open Opportunities

Stanford – UC Berkeley Collaboration: Learning Progress Driven Reinforcement Learning for ANYmal ETH Zurich Robotic Systems Lab TLDR: Improving navigation capabilities of ANYmal - RL is simulation - optimizing learning progress. Computer Hardware, Computer Perception, Memory and Attention, Computer Vision, Electrical Engineering, Intelligent Robotics, Robotics and Mechatronics Master Thesis, Semester Project

Fine-tuning Policies in the Real World with Reinforcement Learning University of Zurich Robotics and Perception Explore online fine-tuning in the real world of sub-optimal policies. Engineering and Technology, Information, Computing and Communication Sciences Master Thesis, Semester Project

Roadside infrastructure sensor modelling ETH Zurich Research Frazzoli As autonomous vehicles become more prevalent, the role of roadside infrastructure sensors—such as cameras and LiDARs mounted on traffic lights, intersections, or poles—grows increasingly important. Unlike onboard sensors, infrastructure sensors offer a bird’s-eye view and can provide critical perception support for traffic participants. However, standard evaluation metrics like mean Average Precision (mAP) fail to capture how well these systems work under real-world variability in road types, weather conditions, sensor placement, and object orientation. In this project, we aim to develop probabilistic models that predict the object detection performance of sensors mounted on roadside infrastructure. Automotive Engineering, Information, Computing and Communication Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis

Inverse Reinforcement Learning from Expert Pilots University of Zurich Robotics and Perception Use Inverse Reinforcement Learning (IRL) to learn reward functions from previous expert drone demonstrations. Engineering and Technology, Intelligent Robotics Master Thesis, Semester Project

Advancing Low-Latency Processing for Event-Based Neural Networks University of Zurich Robotics and Perception Design and implement efficient event-based networks to achieve low latency inference. Computer Vision Master Thesis, Semester Project

Model-based Analysis of Lubricants for High-Temperature Heat Pumps with Refrigerant Mixtures ETH Zurich Energy and Process Systems Engineering Laboratory This thesis allows you to contribute to our research on high-temperature heat pumps with refrigerant mixtures. Heat pumps have the potential to decarbonize substantial shares of industrial heat supply and with refrigerant mixtures the efficiency and flexibility could be increased. However, critical challenges remain and are yet to be researched, one of which is the knowledge gap around lubrication. In your thesis, you will assess the lubrication challenge by developing and using thermodynamic models, thereby enabling potential issues in an early development stage. Fluidization and Fluid Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Process Control and Simulation Master Thesis

Visual Language Models for Long-Term Planning ETH Zurich Robotic Systems Lab This project uses Visual Language Models (VLMs) for high-level planning and supervision in construction tasks, enabling task prioritization, dynamic adaptation, and multi-robot collaboration for excavation and site management. prioritization, dynamic adaptation, and multi-robot collaboration for excavation and site management Information, Computing and Communication Sciences Master Thesis, Semester Project

AI Agents for Excavation Planning ETH Zurich Robotic Systems Lab Recent advancements in AI, particularly with models like Claude 3.7 Sonnet, have showcased enhanced reasoning capabilities. This project aims to harness such models for excavation planning tasks, drawing parallels from complex automation scenarios in games like Factorio. We will explore the potential of these AI agents to plan and optimize excavation processes, transitioning from simulated environments to real-world applications with our excavator robot. Engineering and Technology Master Thesis, Semester Project

Transcatheter Heart Valve Repair and Replacement Devices at Harvard Medical School ETH Zurich Multiscale Robotics Lab Master thesis on novel devices and tools for both valve repair and replacement at Harvard Medical School Engineering and Technology, Medical and Health Sciences Master Thesis

Autonomous Robotic Cardiac Catheters at Harvard Medical School ETH Zurich Multiscale Robotics Lab We are developing robotic catheters for heart valve repair and for treatment of arrythmias. Engineering and Technology, Medical and Health Sciences Master Thesis