CfACTs Plus PhD: Advanced Non Player Character Systems for XR Healthcare Simulation (XR-NPC)

Funding amount: £18,622 maintenance grant per annum

Lead Supervisor name: Professor Wen Tang

Project description

Single-user contemporary XR healthcare training simulations lack effective teamwork simulation and debriefing methods, compared to traditional high-fidelity manikin-based training which employs multiple human participants. While multiplayer XR simulations can naturally facilitate effective teamwork and debriefing due to their group nature, self-study / single player XR content does not. Better self-study options will be a major boon to XR healthcare training, allowing individual learners to gain confidence in a safe and repeatable environment; and allow training anytime, anywhere, without complex organisation / scheduling.

Non-Player Characters (NPCs) are used to bridge the gap between single player and multiplayer XR simulation content. i3 Simulations (https://i3simulations.com/) is developing systems for NPCs to carry out routine tasks, such as navigating the virtual emergency room and carrying out instructions effectively.  The main aim of the XR-NPC project is to provide AI enabled NPCs that emulate human colleagues in multiplayer XR simulations, across the i3 Simulations product range.

The XR- NPC project will complement i3 Simulations NPCs by delivering the AI for NPCs to recognise and obey orders, display appropriate emotions, and provide accurate feedback to the single player.  The AI for NPCs will parse orders from human users and translate them into NPC actions, and the associated emotional response will inform the visual appearances and behaviours of the NPC.  E.g. The NPC has to know that it is doing an ordered task, which is either correct or incorrect for the simulation best outcome; and also respond in the correct emotional way when doing the ordered task (e.g. concerned; are you sure you want this (incorrect) procedure done now? Is this dose correct? etc).   

What does the funded studentship include?

A fully-funded Studentship includes a maintenance grant of £18,622 per year to contribute towards living expenses during the course of your research, as well as a fee waiver for 36 months. Associated costs, such as for fieldwork and conference attendance, will also be met under the Studentship.

Eligibility criteria

The BU PhD and MRes Studentships are open to UK, EU and International students. Candidates for a PhD Studentship should demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 4 years and must demonstrate:

• Outstanding academic potential as measured normally by either a 1st class honours degree (or equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA) or a Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent
• An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language and this must be evidenced at point of application.

Closing date: The closing date for applications is 30 June 2024

For further information on how to apply click the ‘Apply’ button below or email pgradmissions@bournemouth.ac.uk.

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