Studentische Hilfskräfte, Praktikantenstellen, Studienarbeiten

21.04.2026, Studentische Hilfskräfte, Praktikantenstellen, Studienarbeiten

Background

Robot manipulators are typically evaluated under controlled and ideal operating conditions. However, in many real-world applications, manipulators are exposed to external dynamic forces and disturbances that can significantly affect their performance, stability, sensing quality, and control behavior. Understanding how these external dynamic effects influence robot behavior is important for the design, benchmarking, and future development of more robust robotic systems.

This internship focuses on experimental investigations of how externally induced dynamic forces affect the performance of a robot manipulator. The work will involve conducting benchmark experiments, running the robotic setup under different test conditions, collecting and organizing measurement data, and supporting the comparison of system behavior across scenarios.

Goal

The goal of this internship is to experimentally investigate and benchmark how external dynamic forces influence the performance of a robot manipulator.

Objectives

• Conduct benchmark experiments on a robot manipulator under different external dynamic loading conditions.
• Support the design and execution of repeatable experimental procedures.
• Collect, organize, and preprocess measurement data from experiments.
• Compare the manipulator’s performance under different disturbance scenarios.
• Contribute to a structured experimental basis for future analysis and modeling work.

Work Packages

• Familiarization with the robotic setup, sensors, DAQ systems, and experimental workflow.
• Support in preparing and configuring the experimental environment.
• Programming and execution of benchmark tests on the robot manipulator.
• Data acquisition during experiments under varying external dynamic force conditions.
• Data organization, preprocessing, and documentation of results.
• Comparison of benchmark results across different operating conditions.
• Support in reporting and presenting the experimental findings.

What do I offer?

• A very challenging and scientifically satisfactory work.
• Upon successful results, co-authorship in my publications.
• Unlimited cold beverages.
• Quarterly group dinners, and during summer days, barbecue.
• Know-how about hardware development, design, machine tools, modelling, DAQs, sensors, experiment design, robotics, academic writing, and presentation.

Prerequisites

Educational Background

Applicants should come from a background such as:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Robotics
• Control Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Physics
• or a related field

Skills

• Basic programming skills
• Some experience or familiarity with robot programming
• Interest in experimental robotics and data collection
• Basic understanding of dynamics and physics
• Knowledge of control fundamentals; familiarity with advanced control is a plus
• Ability to work carefully with experimental systems, measurements, and structured documentation

Mindset

A hands-on, “maker” attitude toward experimental and iterative problem-solving.

GPA Requirement

Minimum GPA of 2.3

Language Requirement

C1 English

Expected Graduation

After November 2025

Application Process

Please follow this link to reach the application form. It is essential for you to take the time to fill out the form in detail. Also, with this link, you will be able to check my other offerings as well; feel free to apply to more than one, but please make sure that you mention all of these in your motivation letter. If you have further questions, please send me an email with the subject "MSc/BSc Thesis/Forschungspraxis/Internship/Semesterarbeit - Opening Title - Email Topic".

If you have a friend or a group of friends you enjoy working with, I encourage you to apply together. A group application will be a great opportunity if you have different backgrounds, such as mechanical hardware and programming.

You can merge projects like Forschungspraxis + MSc Thesis.

Upon submission of your application, it will undergo a review process. If you are found to be a good fit for the topic, you will receive an invitation for an interview. We kindly ask that you refrain from sending follow-up emails to inquire about your application status until one week after the deadline for this call. Should your application be unsuccessful, you will receive an email notification, and all submitted information and documentation will be discarded.

Please note that part of the interview will include an oral evaluation of your background and comprehension of concepts pertinent to the topic. Demonstrating thorough preparation, creativity, and initiative will be beneficial. Prior to the interview, you will be assigned a brief task (such as modeling, simulation, or a paper study), and there will be additional questions related to this task during the interview.

Applications and reports must be submitted in English. Giving a final presentation and reporting for the non-thesis openings is also mandatory.

Kontakt: mehmet.yildirim@tum.de