EMIL THORSBJERG: EXPLORING INNOVATION AND AI AT PJM
Last fall we had the pleasure of having Emil Thorsbjerg working on one of our innovation projects as part of his Master’s degree. Emil is studying at DTU, the Technical University of Denmark, where he is specializing in autonomous systems. And this was at the center of the project that Emil chose to work on in collaboration with PJM and our Innovation Lab.
WORKING WITH PJM
“I first developed an interest in working with autonomous systems during my Bachelor project, where I designed a solar tracker capable of following the sun’s movement and responding to its surroundings. I chose to approach PJM about collaborating on an innovation project, as they are a leading specialist in automation and had already supported me during my Bachelor project.” Emil explains.
At PJM, we offer several projects that you, as a student, can work on in close collaboration with our specialists. The projects may be based in our Innovation Lab or across our design departments. We place great value on allowing you to pursue an area of interest, which is why our innovation projects are typically defined within open frameworks that encourage exploration and initiative.
“What really stood out to me at PJM was the strong professional and technical environment. You are encouraged to dive deep into complex topics and explore your ideas in depth. At PJM, you get the opportunity to test and experiment with solutions in real life within an innovation setting. I worked closely with PJM's Innovation Manager Jakob Nors throughout the project, especially during testing, and the collaboration was extremely valuable.” Emil elaborates.
TRAINING ADVANCED AI FOR AUTOMATION
At PJM, we know that the strongest Bachelor’s and Master’s projects are based on real engineering challenges that are relevant to your studies and personal interests. That is why we focus on identifying the right project and shaping its scope in close collaboration with you. Through dialogue, we jointly define a project that aligns with your academic focus while addressing real-world challenges within automation and innovation. This was also the case for Emil, whose project was proposed specifically due to his strong interest in autonomous systems and advanced AI, allowing him to work in depth with a complex, real-life challenge.
Emil describes the project he ended up working on: “When PJM suggested that we collaborate on a case that overlapped well with my interests in autonomous systems and advanced AI, I knew I had found a project I was motivated to work on. The idea was to develop a vision-based AI system capable of identifying and re-identifying elements on a moving production line – even when products overlap or are positioned incorrectly. The project was highly complex and demanding, which made it exciting and challenging. I didn’t know from the beginning where it would end up, and that uncertainty was a big part of what made the project so rewarding.”
Throughout the project, Emil made full use of the opportunity to deepen his skills. The complexity of the case meant learning new concepts and translating them directly into code, while also spending time testing and comparing different approaches. This iterative process played a key role in strengthening the final solution. Emil outlines his approach:
“I experimented with several different approaches, ranging from advanced AI models to more rule-based computer vision methods, where elements are evaluated mathematically – for example by size – to detect abnormalities. I used advanced AI techniques to analyse how elements move at different speeds and where overlaps occur. This made it possible to explore how adjustments to the feeder and the robot could minimise complexity in the process. The project was both exciting and demanding. Overall, the project went well, and I am satisfied with the end-result.”
The project has now been handed over to PJM and could be continued by other students. As a student, you can choose to work on your project from our office in Ballerup, conveniently located close to DTU, while also making use of our innovation environment in Fårevejle. If this sounds like something for you, we encourage you to reach out to us and explore the opportunity to collaborate with PJM on an innovation project.
Emil has been awarded a fellowship at Helix Lab, where he will continue his work by writing his Master’s thesis. We would like to congratulate Emil on both his excellent work on the project at PJM and this exciting new opportunity, and we very much look forward to following what he achieves next.