Student assistant (m/f/d) - Development and setup of a grasping algorithm for robotic hands

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.com) currently operates 76 institutes and research units throughout Germany and is a leading applied research organization. Around 32 000 employees work with an annual research budget of 3.4 billion euros.

Advertisement for the field of study such as: Automation engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, cybernetics, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, mathematics, mechatronics, physics, control engineering, software engineering, technical computer science or comparable.

Focus is the setup of a simple robot cell in simulation and real hardware for robot grasping with an industrial robot using a robotic hand as an end effector. Core goals are generating robust grasp poses for a cube part with e.g. a learning-based algorithm, extending a heuristic-based search algorithm for efficient planning and grasping of parts, validating the algorithms in sim and real, and systematically evaluating limitations as complexity increases (e.g. more complex parts, bulk goods).

What you will do

Literature Review: Survey grasp pose generation (analytic vs. data-driven), grasp stability metrics, and grasp planning for robotic hands. Review sim-to-real for grasping, calibration methods, and control/trajectory planning in ROS 2 and Nvidia IsaacSim. Study strategies for clutter/bin-picking and bulk handling (perception, grasp sampling, anti-collision).
Framework Development: Cell setup in sim and real: build a digital twin in Isaac Sim/Lab for the robot cell; mirror the real setup with matching kinematics, collision geometries, and dynamics.
Algorithm Implementation: Implement and setup an algorithm to specify grasp poses for different parts with a specific robotic hand (position, orientation, approach vector, pre-grasp offset), contact constraints, force/torque limits, and success criteria; Extend and integrate the heuristic search algorithm for planning and grasping; Extend to more complex parts and more complex scenarios like bulk goods (clutter/bin).
Simulation and Testing: create scripted test suites in Isaac Sim with domain randomization (poses, friction, lighting). Log success rate, cycle time, grasp stability, collision rate. Evaluate performance on varied shapes and bulk goods (single- vs. multi-object scenes), Identify boundary conditions (tolerances, reflectivity, small parts, heavy clutter), failure taxonomy, and mitigation proposals.

What you bring to the table

Enrolled student
High motivation and initiative
Very good English language skills
Experience with Isaac Sim / Lab
Experience in DRL is an advantage
Independent, responsible, and structured working style

What you can expect

Pleasant working atmosphere
Interesting and industry-relevant tasks
dynamic, interdisciplinary team
Insights into the future topic of automation
Good technical equipment

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability. Remuneration according to the general works agreement for employing assistant staff.

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future.

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!

Ms. Jennifer Leppich

Recruiting

+49 711 970-1415

jennifer.leppich@ipa.fraunhofer.de

Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA

www.ipa.fraunhofer.de

Requisition Number: 81686 Application Deadline:

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