This internship at TME R&D Chassis Group focuses on enhancing Model Predictive Control for autonomous driving. You’ll study and improve robustness against real-world disturbances, explore learning-based and data-driven methods, and develop practical, efficient solutions for motion control. Strong skills in control theory, simulations, and coding are essential.

TOYOTA is one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers and a leading global corporation. Founded in 1937. Toyota now sells vehicles in 170 countries and employs over 350.000 people. Based in Brussels, Belgium, and staffed by 2.700 people and more than 60 nationalities, Toyota Motor Europe (TME) handles the wholesale marketing of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, parts & accessories, and manages Toyota’s European R&D, manufacturing, and engineering operations.

We are excited to be transforming into a mobility company focusing on bringing even more happiness to our customers through various mobility solutions.

Team/division description

The internship will be developed in TME R&D, Chassis group. Chassis engineering division is responsible for the:

1. Development of Chassis systems and components (Brake, Steering, Suspension, Tyre, Shift, Pedals, …) for local production, utilising European technologies and suppliers to achieve the highest driving performance and quality standards at competitive cost.
2. Vehicle dynamic performance development through simulation and testing of systems and vehicles.
3. Investigation and Predevelopment of new European technology for automotie chassis systems and components.
4. Research and application of state-of-the-art methodologies for chassis systems and chassis electronic systems’ design and validation, enabling most competitive performance and efficient development processes while securing our quality and safety standards.

We are inspired by the Toyota Way precepts, and we challenge to provide final customers with best quality products with the continuous improvement mindset.

Your project

The internship will deal with the development of advanced and novel control strategies for the lateral and longitudinal control of a generic AD application, focusing on the safety and the performance maximization on the no-linear domain of motion (e.g. evasive / emergency manoeuvres)

The intern will take care to contribute to an existing line of investigation, based on a predeveloped MPC framework in a simulation environment that controls the brake and steering of a vehicle based on a given path plan. The goals of the intern will deal with

1. Increasing robustness of the vehicle motion vs the noises in real world (sensors, actuators, road geometry, wind…) and with the change of vehicle characteristics vs the ideal MPC model through a continuous supervision of the model characteristics (e.g. Learning based MPC).
2. Developing a practical solution which considers the practical constraints of implement-ability in an AD application, such as data quality, state estimation accuracy, real time limitations and efficiency for development and tuning processes.

That tasks of the intern will include, but not limited to:

• study of prior existing MPC development (formulation, simulation platform)
• study of prior implemented data driven control robustness measures: Learning Based MPC frame, Reference Governor re-planner
• further review on alternative robustness measures (through literature review)
• complete the definition of the range for robustness concerns in current MPC frame (incl. upstream system deviations from ideal world, such as sensor physical modelling, path planning inaccuracies and errors in estimators)
• propose and implement applications to mitigate the MPC limitations
• decide solution to the motion control robustness problem.

• You are fluent in English (TME’s business language)
• You are student in last year of a Masters Degree in Mechatronics, Control Systems or related domain.
• You have interest in Control Engineering, Vehicle Dynamics and Autonomous Vehicle systems.
• You have strong knowledge in Control Theory and Robust Control techniques as well in Dynamic and Vehicle Dynamics simulations and related tools (Matlab/Simulink, CarMaker, SimPack, Acado)
• You have strong coding skills (Python, Matlab) and highly knowledgeable in Data Science and Machine Learning.
• You have good communication skills and can work in autonomous way within a multicultural team

Starting date

•  Asap

Duration

•  6 months

Confidentiality

Due to business requirement, not all performed projects can be reflected in the internship report. This issue needs to be discussed with candidate/school in advance.

It is mandatory that applicants are students for the entire period of the internship.

We can only accept students with an EEA or Swiss citizenship (not requiring a work permit or visa to be eligible to perform an internship in Belgium)

We offer a dynamic multicultural work environment with broad opportunities to learn every day and exciting career pathways that help you explore different disciplines or areas of expertise.

Your benefits

• Flexible working hours and hybrid working (homeworking, 10 days from abroad);
• Company restaurant – Warm dishes, salads and desserts daily, including Japanese and traditional Belgian specialties, as well as a vegan/vegetarian option;
• Sport facilities – Tennis, squash, volleyball, football and softball pitches are available at various Toyota sites;
• Team building activities and other personnel related events;
• Programs to support your physical and social well-being.

At Toyota Motor Europe, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all. All our recruitment decisions are based on the individual and their qualifications along with the job requirements. The selection process is without regard to nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, ethnicity, disability or other personal characteristics. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination as our individual experiences and overall diversity is our key strength. Together we have the power to make a positive change and go beyond the ordinary.

If you need any specific consideration for the interview process due to disability or any other reason, please let the recruiter know.