Marthens HAKIZIMANA
Technical Research Assistant
Burnaby,BC
Summary
Mechatronics systems engineer in training. Currently doing applied research work on sensor integration (vision) and robotics welding. I have very strong skills in Embedded systems programming, mainly in Robotics applications. I have over 3 years experience working with ROS, TMS320F240 DSP (dSPace), Raspberry Pi, NXP ARM S32K144 MCU, STM32, and Arduino.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Technical Research Assistant
SFU Motion and Power Electronics Control Lab
Surrey, BC, Canada
05.2022 - Current
- Built an In-pipe welding robotic arm prototype from scratch (Team of 3), focusing on electrical wiring and control software
- Worked with TMS320F240 DSP (dSPace) for initial prototyping, and used it mainly in designing the control software
- Worked with Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 and NXP ARM S32K144 MCU for final implementation
- Performed kinematic and dynamic modeling and analysis of an in-pipe welding robotic arm to optimize controller design and enhance motion precision
- Developed a seam tracking algorithm leveraging line laser sensors, integrating custom Python scripts for real-time data processing
- Utilized Python's Socket module for robust TCP/IP communication and employed the struct module for efficient data packet decoding
- Applied advanced K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) algorithms for point-cloud filtering and implemented edge detection using a piecewise-linear fitting technique enhanced with differential evolution optimization
- Designed and executed a trajectory-based control system to ensure smooth, jerk-free robotic motion, leveraging advanced motion planning techniques
- Developed a responsive FreeMaster HMI interface (using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and JSON-RPC) for real-time robot control and MCU parameter tuning
- Performed comprehensive prototyping, debugging, and testing using lab instruments, including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and multimeters
- Controlled DC and PMSM motors by designing and implementing optimized PI controllers and computed torque controllers for high-precision applications
Teaching Assistant
SFU
Surrey, BC, Canada
09.2022 - 12.2024
- Designed and introduced lab and lecture materials for Mechatronics Design Studio (MSE 112), utilizing a robot kit featuring Mecanum wheels, a 4-DOF robotic arm, Raspberry Pi 5, and an MCU-based expansion board
- Supervised and guided students in conducting experiments involving motors, motor drivers, waveform generators, oscilloscopes, and power supplies, fostering hands-on proficiency
- Facilitated the use of advanced software tools, including Simulink, LabVIEW, Python, and C++, for real-time simulation and embedded systems programming
- Provided technical mentorship to students, assisting with lab projects, debugging code, and resolving hardware issues
Teaching Assistant
KAIST
Daejeon, S. Korea
03.2019 - 06.2019
- Supported academic activities in a Postcolonial English Literature course, demonstrating adaptability across diverse disciplines
- Facilitated student understanding by addressing course-related inquiries and fostering a collaborative learning environment
Education
Master of Science - Mechatronics Systems Engineering
SFU(Simon Fraser University)
12.2024
Master of Engineering - Robotics Automation & Industrial Control
Concordia University
05.2022
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
KAIST(Korea Advanced Institute of Science And Technology)
08.2021
IB DiPLOMA -
Alcanta International College
05.2016
Skills
- Python
- C
- ROS
- Embedded Systems
- Motion Control
- Solidworks
- Altium Designer
- Matlab and Simulink
Projects
- Optimized Control of RC Car using Register-Level Programming (AVR) | Montreal, QC, Team project, Spring 2022: Engineered a high-performance Arduino library with register-level programming on the Atmega328p to optimize hardware resource utilization and improve processing speed. Designed and implemented a PID speed controller to regulate motor speed, achieving precise control of the RC car's motion.
- Car Vision Simulator Development | Montreal, QC, Team Project, Spring 2022: Developed a car simulation using a custom image processing library in C++. Implemented a PID speed controller as well.
- Technical Report on RSEA Paper by KC Kong | Montreal, QC, Academic Project, Fall 2021: Authored a technical review involving SIMULINK simulations of Prof. KC Kong's journal paper 'Control of Rotary Series Elastic Actuator for Ideal Force-Mode Actuation in Human-Robot Interaction Applications.'
- Mobile Robot with Advanced Perception and Control | Daejeon, S. Korea, Capstone Project, Spring 2021: Deployed and integrated the YOLOv3 object detection model in a ROS environment for real-time stop sign detection. Designed and implemented an OpenCV-based line-tracking algorithm, enabling the robot to follow entry zones on mapped environments. Also utilized Hector SLAM to achieve accurate mapping and navigation within indoor environments.
- DC Motor Control and System Modeling, Daejeon, S. Korea, Academic Project, Fall 2020: Designed and implemented speed and position controllers for DC motors using the L298N motor driver, catering to both loaded and unloaded conditions. Conducted system model identification for a DC motor with unknown inertia load using Bode plot analysis in MATLAB, refining control accuracy.
- Bridge Under Heavy Loading: Fiberglass vs Steel Reinforcement | Daejeon, S. Korea, Research Project, Spring 2020: Analyzed the stress resistance of fiberglass-reinforced concrete compared to steel-reinforced concrete using ANSYS simulation software and the Finite Element Method (FEM).
- Haptic Feedback Research for Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) | Daejeon, S. Korea, Summer Intern, Summer 2019: Conducted extensive research on two-point threshold detection for the 'Feelstance' project, enhancing tactile feedback mechanisms in human-robot interaction. Designed experiments and analyzed data from solenoid actuators and FSR sensors to improve haptic response precision.
- KAIST Feelstance Project | Daejeon, S. Korea, Extracurricular Project, 2019-2020: Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team of six (1 PhD, 1 Master's, and 4 undergraduates) to develop a navigation aid for visually impaired individuals., Proposed an affordable device capable of generating artificial 3D touch sensations from 2D images using deep learning, mobile devices, and embedded systems., Extracted dense 3D information from 2D images and translated it into 3D sensations applied to the user's skin via electromechanical devices., Led the mechanical design of electromechanical actuators and solenoids, conducting research on 'Soft Actuators' during a summer research lab.
Awards
- 2024 Scholarship, SFU Graduate Fellowship Competition, BC, Canada, 12/01/24
- 2023 Scholarship, SFU Graduate Fellowship Competition, BC, Canada, 12/01/23
- 2022 Scholarship, SFU Graduate Entrance Scholarship, BC, Canada, 12/01/22
- 2017 Full Scholarship, KAIST Scholarship, Daejon, S. Korea, 12/01/17
- 2013 Scholarship, AIC 1 of 10 Full IB Scholarships, Guangzhou, China, 12/01/13
Timeline
Teaching Assistant
SFU
09.2022 - 12.2024
Technical Research Assistant
SFU Motion and Power Electronics Control Lab
05.2022 - Current
Teaching Assistant
KAIST
03.2019 - 06.2019
IB DiPLOMA -
Alcanta International College
Master of Science - Mechatronics Systems Engineering
SFU(Simon Fraser University)
Master of Engineering - Robotics Automation & Industrial Control
Concordia University
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
KAIST(Korea Advanced Institute of Science And Technology)
Similar Profiles
Adeel JamalAdeel Jamal
Research Associate at Institute of Power Electronics and Control of DrivesResearch Associate at Institute of Power Electronics and Control of Drives
Natascha Chtena, Ph.D.Natascha Chtena, Ph.D.
Researcher and Editor at Scholarly Communications Lab, SFUResearcher and Editor at Scholarly Communications Lab, SFU
Nelly MwandachaNelly Mwandacha
Graduate Research Assistant at SFU Global HIV Interdisciplinary Research Leadership (GHIRL) LabGraduate Research Assistant at SFU Global HIV Interdisciplinary Research Leadership (GHIRL) Lab
Julia SaldanhaJulia Saldanha
Volleyball Coach at Hustle Volleyball ClubVolleyball Coach at Hustle Volleyball Club
Rishabh DeolRishabh Deol
Faculty Representative at Capilano UniversityFaculty Representative at Capilano University