Thesis Work

W ABB pomagamy przemysłowi wyprzedzać konkurencję - działać sprawniej i ekologicznie. U nas postęp to standard – dla Ciebie, Twojego zespołu i całego świata. Jako globalny lider dajemy Ci to, czego potrzebujesz, by to osiągnąć. Nie zawsze będzie łatwo, rozwój wymaga determinacji. Ale w ABB nigdy nie będziesz działać sam. Zarządzaj tym, co porusza świat.

Stanowisko to podlega:

R&D Team Lead

Shift handovers are a routine yet critical part of industrial work. In sectors like energy, steel, chemicals, mining, and maritime control, operators traditionally pass on key information through verbal briefings, handwritten notes, or digital logs. These handovers depend heavily on human experience, clear communication, and situational awareness to ensure safe and efficient operations.

As industries adopt remote operations and automation, shift handovers are evolving. Operators in Remote Operation Centers (ROCs) or Shore Control Centres (SCCs) now oversee autonomous systems—often across multiple sites. This shift introduces new challenges: mental overload, reduced hands-on experience, and the risk of losing situational awareness, known as the "out-of-the-loop" problem.

Digital handover tools promise improvements—like real-time data access, centralized communication, and automated reporting. However, many of these systems fall short in supporting the human side of the process. They often overlook how information is presented, how easily it can be understood, and how well it helps operators stay aware of the situation.

A major shift is underway: from handovers between people to handovers supported by systems—or even directly from autonomous systems to human supervisors. This raises important questions: What information must be transferred to help the incoming operator quickly grasp the situation? How can we design handover systems that support both cognitive performance and operational safety?

This thesis will explore how digital handover systems can be designed to support safe and effective transitions in remote and automated environments. The student will study current practices, talk to experts in the field, and develop ideas or concepts that address the challenges of modern handover situations.

Here are some potential research questions:

• How can digital shift handover systems be designed to support rapid situational awareness recovery for remote operators?
• What role do human factors and interface design play in ensuring safe and efficient handovers in remote and automated environments?
• How can shift handover systems dynamically adapt to varying Operator Readiness Levels (ORL) and operational contexts (e.g., high traffic vs. low activity)?
• How should we design a digital handover between humans, assisted by autonomous systems, or between system and human? What are the key differences compared to traditional human-to-human handovers?

Details

• Period: Spring 2026, typically January - June
• Number of credits: 30 ECTS
• Number of students: 1 - 2
• Location: Västerås, Sweden but remote work is possible

Your responsibilities

• Gather information about relevant domains, as well as on shift handover practices in industries with high levels of automation, with a focus on digital and system-assisted approaches.
• Collaborate with domain experts (e.g., operators, engineers, designers) to define realistic user scenarios and operational contexts, and conceptual ideas.
• Develop and explore some conceptual ideas and guidelines for digital handover between humans and autonomous systems. The focus can be on outlining and evaluating a concept or framework.
• Plan and conduct user studies, interviews, or expert evaluations to assess the usability, feasibility, and relevance of the proposed concept.
• Document findings and contribute to the understanding of digital handover challenges and opportunities in remote and automated operations.

Why join this project?

This thesis offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of UX design, human factors, and industrial automation, contributing to real-world challenges faced by ABB and its partners. You'll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies, collaborate with domain experts, and help shape the future of remote operations.

Your background

We are looking for motivated master's students with a strong interest in human-centered design and automation.

Candidates could have:

• Academic Background in one or more of the following fields:
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Interaction Design
• Human Factors Engineering
• Cognitive Psychology or Behavioral Science
• Systems Design or Ergonomics
• Socio-Technical Systems
• Interest in Human-Automation Collaboration, especially in remote or autonomous industrial contexts (e.g., energy, maritime, manufacturing)
• Analytical Thinking, with the ability to interpret complex operational scenarios and translate them into design requirements
• Strong Communication Skills, both in Swedish and English, to collaborate with cross-functional teams and present findings clearly
• Self-Driven and Curious, with a passion for solving real-world challenges in industrial automation and remote operations

More about us

ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation. We see our purpose as being to enable a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting our engineering and digitalization expertise, we help industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. We call this: 'Engineered to Outrun.'

Recruiting Manager Dawid Ziobro, , will answer your questions.

Apply with your CV, academic transcripts and a cover letter in English.

We look forward to receiving your application

Join us. Be part of the team where progress happens, industries transform, and your work shapes the world. Run What Runs the World.

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