Msc Thesis Student - Reinforcement Learning for adapting a VLA model for Autonomous Trucks

Technology, Data & Digital · Data, AI & Analytics · Machine Learning · Data Science

In short

Master thesis student opportunity focusing on adapting a Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model for autonomous truck driving using closed-loop Reinforcement Learning. The role involves designing reward functions and evaluating policy performance for heavy-duty vehicles in Göteborg, Sweden.

Responsibilities

Adapt a passenger-car-trained Alpamayo VLA model to specific requirements for a 40-tonne, 18–32m truck combination using closed-loop RL post-training.
Design an RL reward function for safe completion of multiple lane changes to the exit within the available distance, using early-signaling and speed reduction near exit.
Post-train the 10B policy with AlpaGym on 128 GB UMA.
Compare closed-loop KPIs (exit success rate, safety margins, comfort) against the untuned car baseline.
Replace car-like dynamics in AlpaSim with a tractor–semitrailer model and build exit-ramp scenarios with dense traffic.
Participate in a thesis team with regular meetings and shared simulation infrastructure.

Requirements

Strong background in machine learning.
Strong background in Reinforcement Learning.
Proficiency in Python.

Desired Qualifications

Thesis is recommended for two students.
The work will be carried out at Trucks Technology and Industrial (TTI), Göteborg.

Benefits

Opportunity to work on shaping sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions.
Work with next-gen technologies and collaborative teams.
Thesis is part of a larger project with three linked master theses.
Shared simulation infrastructure and results with thesis team.
Opportunity to join Volvo Group.

Skills

PythonReinforcement LearningMachine Learning

#Autonomous Trucks#Reinforcement Learning#VLA model#MSc Thesis#Machine Learning#Python#Göteborg#Sweden#Technology Engineering

About Volvo Group

The Volvo Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. The Volvo Group, with its headquarters in Gothenburg, employs about 100,000 people, has production facilities in 18 countries and sells its products in more than 190 markets.\n\n

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