Funding

Self-funded

Project code

CMP10131026

Department

School of Computing

Start dates

October, February and April

Application deadline

Applications accepted all year round

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3-year full-time or 6-year part time PhD project.

The PhD will be based in the School of School of Computing and will be supervised by Dr Uchenna Ogenyi and Prof Zhaojie Ju.

 

 

The work on this project will include:

  • Developing a Scalable Framework: Creating a proof-of-concept framework that integrates multimodal communication modalities (e.g., gestures, visual cues).
  • Designing and Testing Algorithms: Developing machine learning models for real-time perception, data fusion, and adaptive decision-making.
  • Human-Centric Validation: Conducting user studies and limited real-world validation to ensure the interaction methods are natural, intuitive, and effective.
  • Demonstrating Feasibility: Delivering a demonstrable prototype showcasing enhanced human-robot collaboration in a controlled scenario (e.g., an assembly task in manufacturing)

The increasing integration of robots into human environments has created a demand for seamless collaboration between humans and robots. Traditional human-robot interaction methods often rely on single-mode communication, such as text commands or predefined gestures, which can be inefficient, unintuitive, and unnatural. To address these limitations, multi-modal interaction which involves integrating various sensory modalities such as speech, vision, gestures, and haptic feedback, offers a promising approach for creating more fluid and human-like collaboration. However, developing effective multi-modal frameworks remains a significant technical challenge, requiring advancements in perception, data fusion, and adaptive learning algorithms. 

The project aims to develop advanced methods for human-robot collaboration by leveraging multi-modal interaction techniques. The research will focus on creating frameworks that enable more natural and intuitive communication, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of human-robot interactions. By integrating sensory modalities such as vision, speech, gesture, and haptic feedback, the project seeks to address key challenges in human-robot collaboration, paving the way for innovative applications in industrial automation, healthcare, and assistive technologies. 

 

 

Fees and funding

Visit the research subject area page for fees and funding information for this project.

Funding availability: Self-funded PhD students only. 

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the UK  (UK and EU students only).

 

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in Computing, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI),Applied Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning, Healthcare Technology, Gerontology ,  or a related area. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or Qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

  • Experience with data analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, or R for processing and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.
  • Familiarity with human-robot interaction (HRI) principles, especially in contexts such as caregiving, companionship, or elderly assistance.
  • Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to facilitate interactions with stakeholders, including caregivers, elderly users, and research participants.

 

 

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Uchenna Ogenyi  (uchenna.ogenyi@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, please follow the 'Apply now' link on the Computing PhD subject area page and select the link for the relevant intake. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process. 

When applying please quote project code: CMP10131026