Control Engineer

You are responsible for the design, implementation, and tuning of control systems for driving/controlling the joints in the exoskeleton.

In order to be able to walk with the exoskeleton, the motors will need to be controlled. This, in contrast to what most people seem to think, won't happen on its own. To make the joints move with the desired speed to the desired angle requires the motors to exert the right torque at the right time. This torque is calculated by a controller, implemented in software, with the help of several sensors in the joints. How the desired torque is calculated can range from a simple PID-controller to more complex methods like MPC or LQR for which you have to solve complex optimization problems!

What you will do as Control Engineer

As Control Engineer you will be conducting research into improving the current control systems and identifying new and potentially better control methods. Because Control is working with software as well as with hardware, you will often be in meetings with your other team members in order to take all requirements into account in the choices that are going to be made. A lot of programming will be required to actually implement your (new) controllers, this is mainly done in C++ and Python. To assess the performance of your control systems you will be testing and tuning them on the test-setup. If you then conclude that the controllers are safe and robust enough, you will be able to test them on the real exoskeleton and be present at the training sessions to tune them on the fly based on the suggestions of the pilot. Control can be pretty complex sometimes, so you will be in contact with several experienced companies and individuals who are really enthusiastic to help you with your problems and make your year a great success!

You recognize yourself in

• You are interested in control systems and have a basic knowledge in them.

• You have an affinity for programming and may have some experience with either Python or C++.

• You have good technical knowledge and know how to exchange it with others.

• You are enthusiastic to fill up any knowledge gaps you may have.

You want to become (even) better at 

• Putting your theoretical knowledge about control systems into practice.

• Implementing controllers on a physical system.

• Working together in a big multi-disciplinary team.

• Working with deadlines and other responsibilities.

• Working independently within a team, setting your own deadlines while taking into account many others.

You get in return

• Technical and personal skills.

• Experience in working together in a large multi-disciplinary team.

• Contacts at big and well known (Control) companies.

• The space to make mistakes and learn from them.

• A year full of unforgettable memories and new friends.