Project Description:

GMV have been working on a series of European Space Agency activities to develop state-of-the-art AI solutions for rover mission planning and Guidance Navigation & Control (GNC) activities. AI-Aided-XR (AIAXR) is an ESA-funded project, which among other things, has created an Extended Reality environment where procedurally generated lunar scenes are created, based on fractals and learning approaches to identify lunar characteristics. In addition, GMV have been developing a Visual Odometry (VO) component for a number of years, and would like to use new datasets to further validate the component. Visual Odometry is a critical element of any planetary rover’s navigation subsystem, allowing the rover to estimate its position and speed while driving.

The successful applicant will use the AIAXR software to create synthetic lunar landscapes and capture images along traverses to feed to the VO software. AIAXR and the VO system use a large configuration of parameters to produce the best results. It is expected that the applicant will develop knowledge in Lunar environment characteristics and rover navigation techniques.

The proposed project would see the successful applicant be given the opportunity to contribute to the development of both a novel rover navigation component and Extended Reality environment ESA, and support the continuous development efforts of these systems as European industry continues to focus on Lunar exploration. This will involve performing the following tasks:

• Reviewing existing codebase to develop an understanding of the current AIAXR software status and planetary rover navigation techniques

• Develop new high-fidelity, State-of-the-Art synthetic lunar image datasets and apply these to validate the Visual Odometry navigation system

• Developing extensions of the AIAXR software to include new parameters for advanced scene configuration, and also integrating the ability to provide the software a realistic rover trajectory

• Consultation with the robotics team on design choices and evaluation techniques for validating the GMV VO system.

• Presentation of results and participation with any internal reviews, project updates and all project team meetings. (Additionally, there will be an internal presentation where the candidate shall present to the wider Business Unit the outcomes of their project).

The candidate will have the opportunity to work as a member of the UK Robotics team, as part of the Robotics & Onboard Autonomy division within GMV. It is expected that they will acquire the following skills during the project:

• An opportunity to gain real-world experience in working on a large, complex software project for space and terrestrial applications.

• Improving programming skills in Python, Linux systems and the use of Kubeflow, and gain experience working with Software Projects, architectures, frameworks and applied patterns

• Time management, communication and teamwork in a company environment albeit with Hybrid working constraints

Applicant Specification:

• Academic: BSc (obtained or expected) in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Space Systems Engineering, Robotics or other relevant degree

• Minimum requirements:

- Good programming knowledge (Python, Linux and Bash)

- A working understanding of relevant libraries/tools, e.g., Kubeflow

- Enthusiasm for problem solving and highly motivated

• Desirable requirements:

- Knowledge of and/or working experience with computer vision and deep learning semantic segmentation approaches

- Knowledge of robotic navigation principles – visual odometry.

Process details:

• 8 weeks minimum fixed term contract to be agreed with successful candidate

• In-person Induction Event to be held on [date], and an in-person/hybrid Showcase Event to be held at the [place/date]

• 5 days holiday to be taken during the placement

How we work:

We strive to create a high trust environment that enables team members to bring their whole selves to work – this helps to create the foundations of an innovation culture. Our shared values are critical to this:

• We care - for our people, our partners, and our planet

• We connect - and engage with people and ideas

• We learn - and grow, as people and as an industry

Underpinning this is our belief in great teams, our combined efforts will always deliver outcomes beyond that of any individual providing we are honest through debate, experiment and reflect, and create shared resolutions in support of our purpose. Live these values, work to our principles, take ownership to deliver, and we are certain you will thrive with us.

This job description set outs the skills and experience we believe are needed to be able to do this job but, research also tells us women are much more likely than men to take this list of requirements as absolute and self-select out of the process. If you think you can deliver this role then we want to hear from you, regardless of the boxes you didn’t tick.