Master's Thesis: Knowledge Transfer and Federated Learning for Heterogeneous Object Detection Models in Autonomous Vehicles

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Summary

Location

Stockholm, Sweden

Salary

SEK39,990/one-time

Work

Internship

Key Benefits
39990 SEK Compensation
Rolling Review
Apply Early

About this Job

Background

Autonomous vehicles rely on AI models trained on large-scale, multi-modal sensor data. As vehicle platforms evolve, changes in sensors and hardware often require updating or retraining these models, which is costly and time-consuming. A key challenge is therefore how to efficiently transfer knowledge between models operating under different configurations.

This thesis is part of the research project DREAM – Distributed, Robust and Efficient AI for Autonomous Vehicles. The topic is highly relevant for enabling scalable and efficient AI development in next-generation autonomous driving systems.

Description

Sensor data and AI enable cars to detect objects, understand their environment and make decisions about how to respond. When vehicles are updated and new models are developed, sensors and hardware often change, which in turn also affects the AI models used. One approach would be to create a new AI model from scratch and collect new data each time the vehicle platform is updated. A more efficient solution would be to transfer knowledge between models with varying architectures. In this Master’s thesis project, we aim to investigate knowledge transfer between diverse models and hardware setups, ensuring that learning can continue even when architectures change. The work will use the Zenseact Open Dataset and also explore knowledge transfer in a federated learning context.

Main Tasks

In this master thesis project, you will focus on investigating knowledge transfer between diverse models and hardware setups in autonomous vehicles. Specifically, you will:

  • Explore how knowledge can be efficiently transferred between AI models with different architectures.

  • Evaluate techniques for updating AI models when vehicle sensors or hardware change, without the need for full retraining or collecting extensive new datasets.

  • Analyze the effectiveness of the proposed approach through experiments using multi-modal sensor data, including vehicle control signals, geographical positions, and lidar, radar, and camera measurements.

  • Develop and experiment with a federated learning framework that incorporates knowledge transfer to maintain model performance and adaptability in real-time, large-scale deployments.

Qualifications

We are looking for one or two highly motivated students with a good general background in machine learning and computer vision. The following skills would be essential:

  • Deep learning

  • Federated learning (would be a bonus)

  • Python programming

  • Reading scientific papers

  • Handling complex systems

Conditions

  • Location: RISE, Kista, Stockholm

  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, apply as soon as possible, but no later than August 31st, 2026.

  • Starting date: As soon as possible, not later than September 1st, 2026.

  • Credits: 30 points

  • Compensation: 39990 SEK upon a successful completion of a high-quality thesis.

Supervisors:

  • Henrik Abrahamsson (RISE)

  • Sima Sinaei (RISE)

Welcome with your application!

Send in your application (CV, motivation letter, transcript of records) no later than August 31st.

For any questions, please contact:

About the Company

RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB logo

RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB

Government-owned (State Research Institute)
Transportation & Autonomous VehiclesRobotics Software & AIResearch & Academia

As the challenges facing us as a society become increasingly complex, innovation alone is not enough; you need a strong innovation partner who can provide comprehensive support and a broad range of perspectives. This is where RISE comes in. RISE is a unique mobilisation of resources to increase the pace of innovation in our society. By gathering a number of research institutes and over a hundred test beds and demonstration environments under the umbrella of a single innovation partner, we create improved conditions for society’s problem solvers. We gather around challenges and organise ourselves accordingly. Together, specialists in disparate fields innovate and resolve tough problems. Depending on the nature of the challenge and our assignment, we take on a variety of roles in the innovation system, and develop new ones as and when required. We are owned by the Swedish State and work in collaboration with and on behalf of the private and public sectors and academia. Together, we develop services, products, technologies, processes and materials that contribute to a sustainable future and a competitive Swedish business community.

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