Project on Applied AI in Factory Automation and Production Systems (AI-FAPS)

10 ECTS; for master programs "Artificial Intelligence (M.Sc.)", "Data Science (M.Sc.), and "Computational Engineering (M.Sc.)" (English/German)

Reiter

Notice: This project module is offered in both summer and winter terms. Due to limited capacity, project topics are allocated on an application basis, meaning you cannot simply register for this project module; instead, you must apply for topics with the respective FAPS staff member. Further information on where to find potential topics and how to apply can be found in the folder below regarding potential topics and the application procedure.

Module content

For students of the master programs "Artificial Intelligence", "Data Science", and "Computational Engineering", we offer project topics that are related to our current research in applying AI in industry. Other than a course with a fixed topic, project topics are defined individually. Possible topics include the application of cutting-edge AI methods in industrial areas such as

electric motor production,
electronics production,
electric road systems,
signal and power networks,
automation technology,
engineering systems,
medical technology, or
robotics.

Depending on the topic, subsymbolic AI methods (e.g., machine learning, deep learning, reinforcement learning), symbolic AI methods (e.g., knowledge-based representation and reasoning), or a combination thereof can be used. Considering the current state of the art as well as the respective problem definition, a suitable AI approach is to be developed and evaluated.

Target group

The 10 ECTS project is directed to students of the master programs "Artificial Intelligence (M.Sc.)", "Data Science (M.Sc.), and "Computational Engineering (M.Sc.)".

Within the AI program, the AI-FAPS project can be selected as either "Project I" or "Project II" and is assigned to the "AI Systems and Applications" pillar due to its strong application focus. According to the examination regulations, your two projects must belong to different pillars. If you have already completed another project at a different institute or plan to do one in parallel with the AI-FAPS project, ensure that the pillars are different. Accordingly, it is also not possible to receive credit for two AI-FAPS projects, as both would fall under the same pillar.
Within the Data Science program, the AI-FAPS project can be taken as part of the application subject "Material Science".
Within the Computational Engineering program, the AI-FAPS project can be taken as a "Programming Project" in the 10 ECTS variant.

Notice: For Master's students in the ACES, mechanical engineering, and industrial engineering programs, the institute offers separate projects, known as project theses, which are worth 12.5 or 15 ECTS including a seminar. These should not be confused with the present AI-FAPS project module. The AI-FAPS project is only available to approved study programs with exactly 10 ECTS credits. There is no 5 or 7.5 ECTS variant.

Learning outcomes

Students will

gain practical hands-on experience with an industrial AI use case,
learn to systematically develop and implement solution approaches,
familiarize themselves with suitable AI algorithms and implement them,
become proficient in using appropriate AI-related software libraries and frameworks, and
properly refactor and document their implemented code according to common conventions.

Organizational matters

Potential topics and application procedure:

Project topics are allocated on an application basis, meaning you cannot simply register for this project module; instead, you must apply for topics with the respective FAPS staff members. Further information on where to find potential topics and how to apply can be found in the folder below regarding potential topics and the application procedure. Please follow the specified procedure carefully to ensure a smooth application process, which will increase your chances of securing an AI-FAPS project topic. However, due to limited supervision capacity, we regret that we may not be able to accommodate all applications.

Start date and meeting intervals:

The start of the project is set upon consultation with the respective FAPS staff member who takes over the operational supervision of your project, usually at the beginning of the semester. During the project processing period, regular status meetings with the FAPS staff member will take place on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, usually via web conference. At the beginning of the project, the student is provided with the module-specific templates and guidelines.

Recommended prerequisite:

The prerequisites strongly depend on the respective topic. In general, basic skills in the respective subfield of AI as well as a suitable programming language (e.g., Python) are recommended. If certain basics do not exist, the opportunity for prior familiarization is usually given.

Project evaluation

AI-FAPS projects are individual, with separate grading for each student, rather than group projects. However, we encourage knowledge exchange among students working on related topics.

The module grade is composed as follows:

60%: Implementation of an innovative AI approach agreed with the supervisor to solve the given task (working program code)
25%: Documentation in the form of a scientific report (approx. 15 - 20 written pages excluding preliminary pages, bibliography, appendices, etc.; Word and LaTeX template provided)
15%: Final presentation to demonstrate the functionality and results (approx. 20 minutes plus subsequent discussion)

Language: English or German, depending on the student's choice

Click here to see the corresponding campo item.

Contact person

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Andreas Mayr (andreas.mayr@faps.fau.de), who is responsible for the AI-FAPS project module and also in charge of the institute's technology field "Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning".