Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
The Intelligent Vehicles group at TU Delft is seeking two PhD candidates to investigate the use of acoustic sensors, such as a microphone array, on a (self-driving) vehicle for detection and localization of external sounds from nearby traffic. The project is co-funded and co-supervised by NXP Semiconductors in Leuven.
Currently, Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Automated Vehicles (AVs) rely on cameras, radars, and lidar sensors to detect nearby traffic . Nowadays AI and Machine Learning techniques achieve impressive detection performance for these sensors, however they are most useful in unobstructed areas (e.g. highway) within direct line-of-sight, and under specific environmental conditions (day time, no fog, etc.). In contrast, acoustic detection with vehicle-mounted microphones may help anticipate dangerous traffic situations when visibility is limited.
This project aims for completely novel AI approaches to detect nearby traffic using sound. Traffic produces specific acoustic signatures, including explicit sounds (car horns, sirens), but also tire noise of nearby vehicles, or even electric vehicles that are required by law to emit a recognizable sound when driving at low velocity. Using sound as an additional sensor can lead to safer automated driving, or even enable new forms of ADAS. For example, such sounds can indicate approaching vehicles around the corner while driving through narrow streets, or while exiting a blind parking spot. Detecting sirens will help an AV anticipate and localize emergency vehicles.
There are several challenges that will be addressed, divided over two PhD positions:
The IV group’s Prius demonstrator vehicle with cameras, lidars, radars, and a roof-mounted microphone array will be used to investigate acoustic detection and localization salient traffic sounds. The project aims for viable real-time solutions and an online demonstration of acoustic ADAS
Specifications
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
Requirements
Desirable for topic A:
Desirable for topic B:
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the .
Conditions of employment
Fixed-term contract: 4 years.
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
For international applicants, TU Delft has the . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.
Employer
Delft University of Technology
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core and we actively to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
Department
Faculty Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.
ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.
Click to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.