Master Thesis Project: Improvement of Virtual Body Tracking through Deep Learning and IMU Sensors
Italdesign is an Italian design and engineering company specializing in automotive, transportation, and product development sectors. Based in Moncalieri (Turin) with over 1,300 employees worldwide, it has been innovating for more than 57 years. It develops iconic vehicles and offers comprehensive services spanning exterior and interior design, prototyping, engineering, and turnkey project management. It has expanded into electronic systems development, including infotainment, ADAS, high‑voltage batteries, and Software-Defined Vehicles.
Italdesign is looking for an enthusiastic and smart student passionate about automotive, eager to join an innovative and international business environment, working in an agile way and embracing a strong team spirit.
You will gain experience learning all instruments, procedures, and technical aspects with the support of your tutor and colleagues of the Department. You will be part of the XR‑Solutions team and will actively collaborate to refine and improve an innovative system developed from previous research aimed at evaluating the feasibility of controlling a 3D avatar using IMU-type sensors instead of digital cameras and markers.
Thesis Project
As thesis student, you will be supported by your tutor in order to analyse and develop the following thesis project:

Expand the dataset by acquiring realistic movement data in the ConceptLab laboratory using the ART system with 28 IR cameras and a full-body tracking suite to obtain high-precision data and a wide variety of postures.
Optimize the AI model by training it on data acquired in realistic conditions, with the goal of improving the reliability of motion estimation. Both hardware (e.g., adding IMUs) and software (e.g., preprocessing, tuning, validation) solutions will be evaluated.
Manage data drift (cumulative time error) by studying software and hardware approaches to compensate for it.

The different stages of the thesis may include:

Study of the previous research activity, with a specific focus on the AI algorithm and on the sensor system.
Experimental data acquisition at the Italdesign laboratory.
Use of the acquired data to improve the training dataset.
Modelling and optimisation of the AI algorithm to reach millimeter-level accuracy compared to the real system controlled by AR.
Validation in real time by comparing the avatar tracked by ART with the avatar tracked by IMU + AI (analysis of graphical stability, initial alignment, and motion consistency over time).

Requirements

Software skills in Python (basic knowledge of data processing and deep learning libraries).
Familiarity with Linux Ubuntu operating system.
Fundamental knowledge of AI and machine learning.
Academic experience with signal and temporal data processing.
Good teamwork skills.
Innovative oriented.
Responsible and integrity.
Good interpersonal and communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Additional information
Education: Attending master’s degree in Computer Science or Electronic Engineering.
Language skills: Fluent knowledge of written and spoken Italian and English (at least B2 level).
Workplace: Moncalieri (TO), Italy.
Contract type: Thesis project with estimated duration from 3 to 6 months.
Benefits: Company canteen, multicultural environment.
Italdesign is committed to create an inclusive, diverse and safe workplace, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, parental status, or social origin.
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