Meet Astile – New PhD‑student in AI and Electronics

What is your background? 

I completed my bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communications at Kerala Technological University. During my undergraduate studies, I published one paper as part of my bachelor thesis titled “IoT-Based Disaster Management Systems for Dams.” I then pursued my master’s degree in Electronics at Riga Technical University. During my master’s studies, I also worked at the Elektronikas un Datorzinātņu Institūts, Latvia, as a programming engineer specializing in AI. I published two papers as part of my thesis and won an award for best presentation during a conference. 

After finishing my master’s degree, I worked as a visiting researcher at KTH in Sweden, focusing on approximate computing and quantization of AI algorithms to reduce energy consumption and memory footprint. 

Overall, my background has provided me with a solid foundation in Artificial Intelligence, and I am excited to bring my knowledge, skills, and passion to Mid Sweden University as I pursue my PhD. 

How come you chose Mid Sweden University? 

I chose Mid Sweden University for several reasons. Firstly, the project aligns perfectly with my background, as it is an interdisciplinary project that requires expertise in both AI and electronics. My academic background in electronics and my professional experience in AI make me well-suited for this project. 

Mid Sweden University has numerous collaborations with other universities across Europe and the Americas, as well as strong industry partnerships. These collaborations ensure that I will be enrolled in a double degree program, where I will spend two years in Sweden and another two years in Italy. 

Additionally, I have received positive feedback from my previous supervisor regarding the university's reputation and its contributions to the field of AI. 

Finally, the university's location in Sundsvall provides a distinct advantage. My project focuses on the application of AI in the timber industry, and Sundsvall is an ideal location for this research due to its numerous timber industries.

What is going to be your focus during your PhD studies? 

My primary focus during my PhD studies will be on the application of AI-based measurement systems in the timber industry. I will investigate how AI can be used to automate the operation of the grapple on timber loaders to improve timber handling. 

To achieve this, I plan to create a dataset to train a custom neural network for this task. I will use principles of photogrammetry and metrology to ensure high precision for industrial applications. 

Mid-Sweden University's strong focus on interdisciplinary research and its extensive collaborations with industry partners make it an ideal environment for my project. The university’s resources, including specialized research facilities and expertise in AI and electronics, will greatly support my research and help me achieve my objectives. 

How has your time in Sundsvall been so far? 

My time in Sundsvall has been very positive so far. When I first arrived, I was impressed by the city’s beautiful landscape. I’ve noticed that the city has many nearby hiking trails, which I love, and biking around Sundsvall has also become an enjoyable hobby for me. I’ve discovered some lakes and ski areas as well, and I hope to learn skating and skiing this winter. 

Professionally, my experience at Mid Sweden University has been excellent. I’ve found the support from faculty and colleagues to be incredibly valuable for my research. On a personal level, I’ve been enjoying the experience of living in Sundsvall. Overall, I’m very satisfied with my time here. 

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