2024 RTP round - An Ontological Forensic Framework for Autonomous Vehicles

Status: Closed

Applications open: 7/07/2023
Applications close: 25/08/2023

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About this scholarship
Description/Applicant information

The emergence of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) Technology has seen a paradigm shift in the transportation, military, and logistics industries with many people excited about the efficiency and convenience that AVs will bring into our lives. The challenge with AVs unlike Conventional Vehicles (CVs) which make it easy to identify who is responsible for a traffic accident, AVs make it hard to know who should be liable for the same traffic accident.  
The good side of AVs, however, is that, unlike CVs, they usually create and maintain a huge range of data related to events in their surroundings based on a variety of sensors situated in different parts of the vehicle. In the event of an accident, the events-related data can be extracted and analysed to assist in crucial forensic investigations. The primary objective of such forensic investigations is usually to determine what, when, where, and how it happened, who was involved, and to determine responsibility.
The forensic investigation of AVs, however, requires specialised knowledge, preparation, specialised tools, and approaches. Current digital forensics examination methods have been found wanting in many aspects of AVs forensics. This PhD proposal, therefore, aims to enhance the forensic investigation of AVs by developing an ontological forensic framework that improves on the AVs’ forensic investigation and analysis. The benefit of integrating ontologies in the forensic investigation of AVs is that they can help 'work and reason' with events and their relationships with the surroundings in ways that are close to the way humans perceive interlinked concepts. Besides ontologies can also enhance coherency and easy navigation as investigators move from one event to another as well as facilitate domain knowledge sharing across independent forensic investigation tools. 

The primary aim of this research project is to develop an Ontological Forensic Framework that enhances the AVs forensic investigation process and analysis of events data. The proposed framework will incorporate a domain ontology that can help 'work and reason' with events and their relationships with the surroundings in ways that are close to the way humans perceive interlinked concepts. By developing this framework, we aim to enhance the forensic investigation process of AVs and contribute to the establishment of the best investigation practices in the next generation of AVs. 

• To provide an in-depth understanding of AVs’ architectures, components, communication protocols, and forensic investigation challenges.
• To develop a comprehensive ontological forensic framework for AVs.
• To develop an approach that helps in integrating the developed framework into existing digital forensic tools.
• To develop a process for continuous improvement and adaptation of the framework to emerging forensic tools and advancements in AVs technology. 

This research project has significant impacts on the forensic Investigation of AVs. By developing an Ontological Forensic Framework for AVs, this study aims to address the urgent need for a better way to investigate AVs after an incident has occurred. The outcomes of this research will have the following significance:
• The framework will help enhance the forensic investigation of AVs.
• The framework will also help in solving many legal dilemmas in AVs’ Forensic Investigations.
• The framework will further advance forensic investigation best practices specific to AVs.
• The insights obtained from this research project will contribute to shaping policies and regulatory requirements and improving forensic readiness that mandates stringent safety standards for AVs. 

Student type

• Future Students

Faculty

• Faculty of Science & Engineering
  • Science courses
  • Engineering courses

Course type

• Higher Degree by Research

Citizenship

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa

Scholarship base

• Merit Based

Value

The annual scholarship package (stipend and tuition fees) is approx. $60,000 - $70,000 p.a.

Successful HDR applicants for admission will receive a 100% fee offset for up to 4 years, stipend scholarships at the 2023 RTP rate valued at $32,250 p.a. for up to a maximum of 3 years, with a possible 6-month completion scholarship. Applicants are determined via a competitive selection process and will be notified of the scholarship outcome in November 2023. 

For detailed information, visit: Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships | Curtin University, Perth, Australia.

Scholarship Details
Maximum number awarded

1

Eligible courses

All applicable HDR courses

Eligibility criteria

Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Knowledge, Coding, Network and Communication Protocols, Familiarity with Autonomous Vehicle Systems, Data Analysis, Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving, Communication and Documentation, and Teamwork. 

Application process

This project has identified a preferred candidate and is no longer available.  Please review remaining scholarships projects .

Enrolment Requirements

Eligible to enrol in a Higher Degree by Research Course at Curtin University by March 2024.

Enquiries

The Project lead has identified a preferred candidate and is no longer accepting applications. Please click here to review remaining scholarships projects.

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