A Guide to Joining APRL

Current Lab Openings

• No available positions for 2026.
• 2027 Available Positions: Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering or Interdisciplinary Program in Artificial Intelligence
  • 0-1 PhD student
  • 1 Postdoc (InnoCORE Bio-Embodied Physical AI Research Group)
  • [Closed] 2026 summer interns and 2027 MS student

1. Explore APRL's Research Areas

APRL works on the following research keywords and related topics. The list is not exhaustive.

Try the hands-on materials below and ask yourself whether the topics are enjoyable. You do not need to understand every principle from the beginning. Deep interest is the only differentiating credential.

2. Explore Papers by Other Labs

Read papers from top-tier conferences and journals by labs working on related problems.

Major venues: ICRA, IROS, CoRL, RSS, RA-L, T-RO, IJRR.

aprl-similar-labs

3. Understand Ongoing Projects at APRL

First, refer to the research descriptions under the Research tab and the Open Position Details slides.

• How can five heterogeneous robots autonomously explore the entire DGIST Consilience Hall and understand the space within a single day?
• What technologies are needed for a humanoid robot to safely travel from Gangnam to DGIST using public transportation?
• How should verbal and non-verbal human expressions be integrated into planning and decision-making for navigation?
• APRL defines SLAM 2.0 as a foundation for these goals and develops the individual technologies needed to achieve them.

Beyond these examples, you are welcome to propose interesting topics in mobile robot autonomy and perception. We are looking for students who can formulate good questions together, even before finding answers.

4. Learn About the Advisor

Consider whether the advisor (Giseop Kim) would be a good fit for you.

5. Send a Contact or Counseling Request Email

For lab admission inquiries or counseling requests, email gsk@dgist.ac.kr. Include the following information:

• [Required] Name / current status (e.g., undergraduate senior at DGIST)
• [Required] Self-introduction within 500 characters
• [Required] Two interesting papers, with a brief summary and why they interested you (please write the sentences yourself, not LLM-generated text)
• [Required] Complete list of robotics and computer vision related courses taken; do not include GPA
• [Required] Experience solving a problem and experience failing to solve a problem, within 500 characters each
• [Required] One project you are proud of that used AI assistants
• [Optional] Mechanical or electrical hands-on experience

Use the prefix [DGIST RME APRL Contact Inquiry] or [DGIST RME APRL Counseling Request] in the email subject. Interview scheduling will be coordinated by email afterward.

6. FAQ

Can I send a contact email even if there are no remaining slots?

Yes. Research counseling may be possible when needed, although we may not be able to reply to everyone. Please send good questions if you have them.

I am curious about the advisor's guidance capabilities.

You can check the publication list and impact on Google Scholar. During his time at NAVER LABS, he worked on data-center autonomous shuttle development and NAVER Map street-view 3D projects, including 1784. The lab aims to help students develop the capabilities needed to become world-class engineers in academia and industry.

I have questions about lab life.

Please email current lab members and ask them.

I want to know about the admission process, selection criteria, and available slots.

These will be shared with students who complete Steps 1-5 and interviews.