Department - Computer Science (Cyber-physical Healthcare and Assistive Robotics Technologies Research Group)
Testing assistive robotics technologies with people who are vulnerable is very challenging. Given the fact that assistive robots for people with long-term conditions or aging-related impairments will need to adapt as conditions and impairments change, adds an additional layer of complexity.
Care professionals and regulatory bodies need assurance of system safety, particularly requiring assurance that new behaviours remain clinically efficacious.
One approach is simulating operational use by building on and extending existing digital twin frameworks. The aim of this PhD will be to extend the state of the art by investigating the feasibility of developing integrated digital twins that capture the key characteristics of mobility assistance robots and frail end-users to help simulate, verify, and validate the adaptation required to support users with changing needs. Working with experts in biomechanics will provide access to instrumentation and facilities for capturing data to develop models.
Based in the Cobot Maker Space and part of the Cyber-physical Healthcare and Assistive Robotics Technologies (CHART) research group, this project aligns with the EPSRC EMERGENCE Healthcare Technology NetworkPlus programme . You will have an opportunity to take an active role in the network’s activities and spend time in the labs of partner institutions. You will have funding to attend conferences and go on training where relevant. This university funded studentship will provide a stipend at the current UKRI rate to cover living costs (approximately £16,062 per year) over the duration of the PhD and thesis writing (48 months). The anticipated start date is 1st October 2022.
You will be expected have a 2:1 Bachelor or preferably a Masters degree or international equivalent in Machine Learning/AI/Robotics. Experience of biomechanics, assistive robotics or developing simulation environments with advanced programming skills will be desirable.
Any offer will be subject to the University admissions requirements.
If you would like to know more about the PhD project, please contact [email protected]
Applications to be informally made directly to the supervisor first.
Post interview, application to be made through the MyNottingham system stating the supervisor name and project title.
Closing Date: 24th July 2022.