Master Thesis Project "Improvement of Virtual Body Tracking through Deep Learning and IMU Sensors"

Italdesign is an Italian design and engineering company specializing in automotive, transportation, and product development sectors. Based in Moncalieri (Turin) with over 1,300 employees worldwide, it has been innovating and working with top car makers and emerging players for more than 57 years. Renowned for its important role in car design, Italdesign has developed iconic vehicles and offers comprehensive services spanning exterior and interior design, prototyping, engineering, and turnkey project management. Its vertical integrated approach ensures seamless support to clients, from the first idea to homologation and series production, delivering solutions tailored to client needs. Italdesign also develops new technologies and fosters advancements in mobility and prototyping. In recent years, it has expanded into electronic systems development, including infotainment, ADAS, high-voltage batteries, and Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs). This blend of technical expertise and creative design makes it a leader in the industry. Since joining the Audi Group in 2010, Italdesign has grown and created innovative solutions, combining aesthetics and functionality to pioneer cutting-edge solutions that meet the market demands. In 2025 Italdesign obtained the Top Employers Certification for the tenth year in a row. Italdesign is looking for an enthusiastic and smart student passionate about automotive, eager to join an innovative and international business environment, working in an agile way and embracing a strong team spirit. You will gain a great experience in learning all the instruments, procedures and technical aspects with the support of your tutor and colleagues of the Department. Italdesign has a long-standing expertise in the development of Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality, and Virtual Reality solutions within its XR-Solutions team, part of the Strak & XR-Solutions Department. You will be part of the XR-Solutions team and will actively collaborate to refine and improve an innovative system developed from previous research aimed at evaluating the feasibility of controlling a 3D avatar using IMU-type sensors instead of digital cameras and markers. Thesis Project As thesis student, you will be supported by your Tutor in order to analyse and develop the following thesis project about: Expanding the dataset by acquiring realistic movement data in the ConceptLab laboratory, using the ART (Advanced Realtime Tracking) system with 28 IR cameras and a full body-tracking suite, to obtain high-precision data and a wide variety of postures; Optimizing the AI model by training it on data acquired in realistic conditions, with the goal of improving the reliability of motion estimation. Both hardware (e.g., adding IMUs) and software (e.g., preprocessing, tuning, validation) solutions will be evaluated; Managing data drift (cumulative time error) by studying software and hardware approaches to compensate for it. The different stages of the thesis may include: Study of the previous research activity, with a specific focus on the AI algorithm and on the sensor system; Experimental data acquisition at the Italdesign laboratory; Use of the acquired data to improve the training dataset; Modelling and optimization of the AI algorithm to reach millimeter-level accuracy compared to the real system controlled by AR; Validation in real time by comparing the avatar tracked by ART with the avatar tracked by IMU + AI (analysis of graphical stability, initial alignment, and motion consistency over time). Key requirements Software skills in Python (basic knowledge of data processing and deep learning libraries); Familiarity with Linux Ubuntu operating system; Fundamentals knowledge of AI and machine learning; Academic experience with signal and temporal data processing; Good team working skills; Innovation oriented; Responsibility and integrity; Good interpersonal and communicative skills; Good knowledge of Microsoft Office Package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Education attending master’s degree in Computer Science or Electronic Engineering; Language skills Fluent knowledge of written and spoken Italian and English (at least B2 level); Workplace Moncalieri (TO), Italy; Contract type thesis project with estimated duration from 3 to 6 months; Benefit company canteen, multicultural environment. Italdesign is committed to create an inclusive, diverse and safe workplace, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer (L.903/77). We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of the gender, ethnic, religion, sexual orientation, disability, parental status, or social origin. #J-18808-Ljbffr