Traineeship: Development of ROS 2 software components

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Internship topic: Development of ROS 2 software components for the supervision and control of autonomous maritime robotic systems. Context As part of a European research and development project focused on autonomous robotic systems, the objective is to develop ROS 2-based software components enabling the supervision, control, and exchange of data between multiple vehicles and sensors.

The work is part of a distributed architecture integrating navigation data, sensors, and operator interfaces intended for laboratory and sea trials. Internship objectives The intern will contribute to the development and integration of ROS 2-based software components. Their tasks will include designing a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) enabling real-time supervision of vehicles and sensors, as well as integrating various data streams into this interface, such as video, navigation, and telemetry.

They will also contribute to the development of ROS 2 nodes dedicated to the acquisition, processing, and dissemination of data from onboard sensors. Particular attention will be given to the implementation of ROS 2 distributed communication mechanisms, including topics, services, and actions, in order to ensure data exchange between the different system components.

Finally, the intern will participate in validating the development on simulated platforms and real systems, with a view to deployment during operational test campaigns. The intern will work within the R&D team of Exail Robotics Belgium, in a multidisciplinary environment combining marine robotics, embedded software development, and system integration.

They will collaborate with engineers specialized in navigation, underwater acoustics, data processing, and autonomous systems, and will contribute to the different phases of the project.

Required skills

Engineering degree or Master's degree in robotics, embedded computing, or autonomous systems. Programming skills in C++ and/or Python. Interest in ROS 2 and robotic systems. Knowledge of Linux environments, particularly Ubuntu.

Exail is a leading high-tech industrial group specializing in cutting-edge robotics, maritime, navigation, aerospace and photonics technologies. With a strong entrepreneurial culture, Exail delivers unrivaled performance, reliability and safety to its civil and defense clients operating in severe environments. From the deep sea to outer space, Exail expands their capabilities with a full range of robust in-house manufactured components, products and systems.

Employing a workforce of 2000 people worldwide, the company benefits from a global footprint and conducts its business in over 80 countries. Exail was formed by ECA Group and i. Xblue joining forces in 2022. It is a subsidiary of Exail Technologies, a family-owned company specialized in high-technology.