Imagine a robot that can not only perform predefined movements, but can also understand whether its physical environment is ready for operation. During this internship, you will develop a vision-based solution that helps make an automated packaging system smarter and more robust.
Within our development project, a robot handles bottles and crates using predefined positions and movements. Your challenge is to add an intelligent vision layer without making vision part of the robot's primary control loop. Instead, your solution will help the robot automatically calibrate relevant positions, verify that the starting situation is correct and provide valuable information when the normal process cannot continue.
This gives you the opportunity to combine robotics, computer vision and software development with hands-on experimentation. You will work directly on the prototype in the Innovation Factory at the Lely Campus in Maassluis, collaborating with experienced engineers from different disciplines. Your work will move from researching suitable technologies to seeing your own algorithms perform on a physical robot.
Key responsibilities include:
- Evaluate suitable 2D and 3D vision technologies for the packaging setup.
- Develop algorithms that detect objects and determine their position and orientation.
- Create an automatic calibration approach that uses vision to determine and verify relevant robot positions.
- Develop methods to recognise incorrect starting conditions and identify potential root causes when the process cannot continue.
- Interface vision results with the robot environment and collaborate with engineers to integrate your solution into the existing system.
- Test, refine and validate your solution on the actual packaging prototype.
You are studying Robotics, Computer & Embedded Systems Engineering, or a comparable technical programme and want to apply your knowledge to a real robotic system. You enjoy exploring how software, vision and physical hardware interact and are motivated by turning an idea into something you can demonstrate on an actual robot.
Additionally, you bring the following:
- An interest in robotics and computer vision, with the motivation to deepen your knowledge of 2D and 3D vision technologies.
- A proactive mindset. You take ownership of your work, explore technologies and actively involve the right people when you need input.
- A creative approach to engineering. You enjoy experimenting with different ways to make a robot understand its physical environment.
- Strong problem-solving skills, allowing you to move from observed robot behaviour to possible causes, experiments and practical solutions.
- An interest in developing, programming and testing your work on physical hardware rather than limiting your solution to simulation.
At Lely, we offer you an educational and dynamic internship experience at one of the most innovative organizations in the Netherlands. You’ll become part of a driven team and have plenty of opportunities to further develop your talents.
- An international working environment
- An internship allowance of €650 per month based on a 40-hour work week
- A student apartment if your commute is too long
- Our modern Lely Campus gives you daily access to extensive sports facilities: an indoor gym, outdoor padel courts, a basketball and volleyball court, as well as table tennis and foosball. You can join Hyrox workouts or sign up for personal training – and challenge your colleagues during an active break.
- Enjoy fresh coffee and tea from our in-house barista, made with milk straight from our farm, and a healthy, affordable company restaurant.
- A free shuttle bus takes you to and from the metro station in Maassluis, ensuring your workday starts and ends smoothly.
- We’re also proud that our dedication and vision have been recognized with the Rotterdam Entrepreneur Award 2025!