Master's Thesis: Data Visualization for Route Planning and Voyage Optimization

About the role

ABB is recruiting master's students for a thesis on data visualization for continuous route planning and voyage optimization in shipping. The project sits in the R&D team and reports to the R&D Team Lead. It explores how ship personnel such as captains and navigation officers can better understand and evaluate route recommendations that combine weather, safety constraints, voyage time, cargo and fuel/energy efficiency. The work covers concept development, prototyping and initial user evaluation, and runs in Spring 2027 (January to July) for 30 ECTS, with 1 to 2 students.

Key responsibilities

• Review literature on user needs for route planning and optimization at sea, multi-objective voyage optimization, AI-assisted solutions and UI design.
• Potentially conduct expert or user interviews with ABB internal experts.
• Create concepts based on the research and existing materials within ABB.
• Build prototypes (flexible fidelity).
• Carry out a user evaluation (optional).
• Summarize results and identify design implications for data visualization in continuous route planning, updating and optimization.

Required profile

• Motivated master's student with a strong interest in human-centered design and automation.
• Background in interaction design, HCI, data visualization and engineering, human factors engineering, media technology or a related field.
• Ability to conduct contextual research, turn insights into requirements and create concepts.
• Proactive, creative approach combining user-centered methods with technological advances.
• Familiarity with or interest in shipping and maritime solutions is a big plus.

Required skills

• Quick prototyping, ideally mid-to-high fidelity, with Figma or similar tools.
• Ability to create interactive prototypes.

The position is based in Västerås with the possibility of a hybrid workplace. Applications are made through the online application form with CV, academic transcripts and an English cover letter.