INTERNSHIP / THESIS – OPTICAL SENSORS FOR OBSTACLE DETECTION(M/W/D)

Location Lippstadt, Germany

FORVIA HELLA is a listed international automotive supplier. As a company of the FORVIA Group, FORVIA HELLA stands for high-performance lighting technology and vehicle electronics and, with the Lifecycle Solutions Business Group, also covers a broad service and product portfolio for the spare parts and workshop business as well as for manufacturers of special vehicles. With currently around 34,000 employees at over 125 locations, the company is active worldwide and generated adjusted sales of €8.0 billion in the fiscal year 2025.

YOUR TASKS

During your internship and thesis, you will investigate optical sensing technologies for obstacle detection in intelligent automotive rear lighting systems. The objective is to compare suitable concepts in terms of detection performance, robustness, system complexity, and cost efficiency.

• Sensor Comparison: You investigate and compare Time-of-Flight sensors with alternative optical sensing technologies for obstacle detection.
• Algorithm Development: In this context, you develop and implement algorithms for sensor control, signal processing, distance estimation, and object detection. You consider both scientifically established deterministic methods and custom-developed approaches.
• Prototype Integration: Selected sensor concepts and detection algorithms are integrated into a prototype environment.
• Experimental Validation: You validate the selected solutions through laboratory and real-world measurements.
• Data Evaluation: Based on experimental data, you compare the coverage, accuracy, and reliability of the investigated solutions.
• Method Evaluation: In addition, you investigate potential machine-learning-based approaches and compare their benefits and limitations with conventional rule-based and model-based algorithms.
• Documentation: Finally, you document and critically assess the findings and derive recommendations for future intelligent sensing functions in automotive rear lighting systems.

START: after arrangement

DURATION: at least 12 weeks

• Enrolled Student: During your time at HELLA, you are enrolled at a university and have not yet completed your final examination.
• Field of Study: You are studying Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a comparable degree program.
• Programming Experience: You have experience in a programming language.
• Embedded Systems: You have basic knowledge of embedded systems and microcontrollers.
• Technical Fundamentals: You have basic knowledge of electronics and physics.
• Language Skills: You have English language skills at C1 level or German language skills at B2 level. Working Style: You demonstrate self-motivation, independence, creativity, analytical thinking, and time-management skills.

Even if you do not meet all our requirements, do not hesitate to apply to us, because the further development of our employees is very important to us and opens up a wide range of opportunities for you in our company.

Hella stands for the variety of all employees. Inclusion and diversity are firmly anchored in our company culture. We are continuously looking for new team players and welcome applications from all interested parties, regardless of their ethical and social background, age, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation or identity.

HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA

Benedict Stratmann

Rixbecker Str. 75

59552 Lippstadt