Photonic Sensors for Robotics and Automation PhD

Funding for: UK Students

Funding amount: Sponsored by Cranfield University, this studentship will provide a bursary of up to £20,000 (tax free) plus fees per annum for three years.

Closes: 21/08/2024

Supervisors: Professor Ralph P Tatam & Dr Tom Charrett 

Join the robotics revolution by enrolling in our PhD programme in photonic sensors at Cranfield University. As the future of robotics hinges on enhanced flexibility and performance, there is a critical need for better-performing, cost-effective sensors. Supported by a departmental scholarship, this project aims to advance an existing optical sensing technology from the laboratory to prototype stages, introducing groundbreaking sensing capabilities for robotics and automation. You will thrive in an inclusive, highly collaborative, and supportive research environment, gain access to bespoke training, and acquire in-demand technical skills. Additionally, you'll receive a tax-free stipend of up to £20,000, with all UK fees covered.

In robotics, manufacturing, and automation, there's a growing demand for technologies that boost productivity, enable smaller production runs, facilitate rapid reconfiguration and programming, and support diverse tasks. To achieve these goals, advanced sensing capabilities are essential. For instance, traditional fixed manufacturing robot arms typically perform single tasks with movements controlled to within 0.10mm. However, mobile robots face challenges in maintaining this precision. In other applications, such as robotic manipulation, multiple low-cost, biologically inspired sensors are necessary to expand potential uses.

As a PhD candidate, you will develop a prototype photonic sensor designed to enhance robot performance. This technology, combining optical interferometry and image processing, offers high-precision positioning and tactile sensing with lower processing requirements and costs compared to computer vision approaches. You'll explore various application directions, including high-precision positioning, mobile robot navigation, high-speed target tracking, distributed touch sensing, and integrating Artificial Intelligence with sensors. Your goal will be to develop and test prototypes tailored to these needs using our advanced robotic test platforms.

Cranfield University, the UK's only wholly postgraduate institution, provides a unique environment for PhD studies. You'll be part of the Centre for Engineering Photonics (EP), an internationally renowned research-led centre specialising in optical instrumentation for challenging measurement problems across diverse fields such as aviation, manufacturing, environmental monitoring, and biomedical diagnostics. Our friendly, collaborative, and supportive research-only centre fosters a vibrant community of researchers at all levels.

You will develop and test prototype sensors with new capabilities for robotics and automation, aiming to establish these techniques as key technologies for applied robotics research challenges. This work will take place both in the lab and by integrating the prototype sensors with our small robotics test facilities, including a robot arm and an omni-directional mobile robot platform. Successful projects may lead to collaborations within the university or externally and the generation and protection of intellectual property.

Entry requirements

You will have (or expect to have) a first- or second-class UK honours degree or equivalent in physical science or engineering or related discipline. No prior experience in optics is necessary as full training will be given – indeed we welcome applicants from a wide variety of engineering and scientific disciplines. We would love to hear from you, whether you are just graduating or have some years (or even a career) in industry / employment behind you.

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