Course paper / final thesis Automatic camera path planning through time and space in VR Master student Computer Science or similar

Start your mission with DLR.

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is the national aeronautics and space research centre and the space agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. Here, 8000 employees work together on a unique variety of topics in the fields of aeronautics, space, energy, transport, digitalisation and security. Their missions range from basic research to the development of innovative applications and products for tomorrow. Cutting-edge research requires excellent minds – particularly more females – at all levels, who fully achieve their potential in an inspiring environment. Launch your mission with us.

For our institute Simulation and Software Technology in Braunschweig we are looking for a

Automatic camera path planning through time and space in VR

Your mission:

In DLR’s department for Simulation and Software Technology, a virtual-reality simulation of our solar system is being developed. With sophisticated level-of-detail-algorithms, high resolution digital elevation models and satellite imagery, entire planets and space missions can be explored in real-time. This is not only a simulation of space, but also of time since all celestial bodies are constantly moving on their orbits. When the user decides to use the “auto-pilot” to quickly fly to another location in space (this could be a region on the same planet, on another planet, a moon or a spacecraft) a camera path has to be calculated. On the one hand, this path should avoid intersecting other celestial objects and on the other, rotations and movements should be limited to an absolute minimum in order reduce motion sickness of the user. 

In the scope of this thesis, this system shall be taken to another level: the travel target may not only be at another location in space, but also in time. That means, while being on Earth in 2018, the user may decide to witness the landing of Curiosity in the Gale Crater of Mars in 2012. Ultimately, this system will allow for the implementation of a “Space Mission Player” where users can seamlessly overserve the different stages of various space missions in time and space. A small user study will be required in order to evaluate the efficiency of different routing algorithms.

Your qualifications:

• computer Science student or similar
• good programming skills with C++, OpenGL and GLSL
• experience in working with HTML, CSS and JavaScript is a plus
• preferably experience in working with Linux

Your benefits:

Look forward to a fulfilling job with an employer who appreciates your commitment and supports your personal and professional development. Our unique infrastructure offers you a working environment in which you have unparalled scope to develop your creative ideas and accomplish your professional objectives. Our human resources policy places great value on a healthy family and work-life-balance as well as equal opportunities for persons of all genders (m/f/non-binary). Individuals with disabilities will be given preferential consideration in the event their qualifications are equivalent to those of other candidates.

If you have any questions concerning specific aspects of the job, please contact Simon Schneegans by calling +49 531 295-2333. Please find further information on this vacancy with the reference number 32766, and details regarding the application procedure, at www.DLR.de/dlr/jobs/#32133.