Thesis Work - A machine learning approach for automated vehicle fleets i Göteborg

Thesis Worker at Volvo Cars

Welcome to explore the world of Volvo Cars by writing your thesis with us! As a thesis worker in our organization you are supported by a supervisor who follows you during your project. All thesis projects are arranged in business critical areas and therefore you will be able to contribute to our company purpose – providing freedom to move in a safe, sustainable and personal way – from day one! 

Background

Transportation of people is an important part of today's society and there is a high travel demand. The customer wants the travel journey to be environmentally friendly as well as convenient (travel time and price).

The problem we are facing is how we can improve the way people travel, both from an energy efficiency aspect as well as from a convenience aspect. Autonomous vehicles can be used to create new and coordinated mobility services, i.e., optimal ride sharing.

For the coordinated mobility services to be consistent and perform well a good prediction of the near future demand is important. The question we would like to answer is how different travel demand prediction affects the performance of the predictive assignment of taxis?

But how energy-efficient and convenient is an autonomous taxi fleet? A good estimation of the impact of the autonomous taxi fleet can be done by simulation. In this project, we create a combined analytic and simulation-based platform to answer the above question.

Scope

This project is about how to predict taxi travel demand (spatial time-series data). The prediction will be based on historical data of time and location of pickup (origin) and drop-off location (destination) for taxi trips in New York. The dataset is open source and can be found on this website ().

The results of the demand prediction will be tested in a multi-agent traffic simulator. This will be done by the duality of mathematical abstraction as well as with high fidelity simulator, such as MATSim. We will simulate a city, for example New York, where the taxi fleet will be operating.

The optimization/controlling of the taxi fleet have been already developed in a previous master thesis project.

Research questions:

• Which factors (weather, data size, etc.) is important for travel demand prediction?
• Which machine learning method is optimal for travel demand prediction?
• How does these methods effect the performance of the taxi assignment problem?

Throughout the project, documentation and communication of the process in a well-understood manner is a must.

Do you fit the profile

We are looking for Master engineering students with e.g. Mechatronics, Software or Data Science background.
You need to have knowledge in machine learning and experience with control theory and programming in Python.
You are highly motivated, creative and curious, with a strong analytical, scientific and strategic mind-set. You need to be a good communicator, fluent in English both verbally and in writing.

Duration

• Extent: 1-2 students for 1 semester, 20 weeks
• 30 ECTS per student).
• Starting date: January/February 2022.
• Location: Volvo Cars in Gothenburg, Sweden.
   

How to learn more and apply
Selection will be ongoing during the application period, so do not hesitate to send in your application. Attach your Cv and personal letter stating your interests within the given area and your thoughts and credentials.

Apply as soon as possible but no later than 2021-10-31

Please note that applications via email will not be accepted.

For questions about the thesis work please contact supervisor Sten Elling Tingstad Jacobsen at  

Who are we?

Everything we do starts with people. Our purpose is to provide freedom to move, in a personal, sustainable and safe way. We are committed to simplifying our customers’ lives by offering better technology solutions that improve their impact on the world and bringing the most advanced mobility innovations to protect them, their loved ones and the people around them. 

Volvo Cars’ continued success is the result of a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive working environment. The people of Volvo Cars are committed to making a difference in our world. Today, we are one of the most well-known and respected car brands, with over 40,000 employees across the globe. We believe in bringing out the best in each other and harnessing the true power of people. At Volvo Cars your career is designed around your talents and aspirations so you can reach your full potential. Join us on a journey of a lifetime as we create safety, autonomous driving and electrification technologies of tomorrow.