PhD Studentship: Human-Robot Collaboration - Safe, Assisted Manipulation

Are you an outstanding and ambitious engineering graduate or postgraduate looking for the next challenge? Do you want to become an expert in robotics and human-machine interaction in one of the UK’s leading robotics research institutions?

We are looking for a first-class PhD student who wants to push the boundaries of human-robot collaboration and help people with challenging lifting and assembly tasks. Repetitive lifting of medium to high loads in industrial applications like assembly is responsible for many long-term, debilitating musculoskeletal injuries that result into a significant burden for the individual, companies, and the public purse. The ambition of this project is to investigate the use of robotic systems to assist operators during lifting and manipulation. While robots can easily carry high loads, understanding the control inputs from human operators to give direction, can be challenging particularly in environments with complex contact conditions or nonrigid parts. For instance, during the assembly or disassembly of Electric Vehicle batteries. You will join the collaborative-systems research team in the School of Engineering at the University of Birmingham. With access to the latest robotics and sensing technology, people tracking technology, and biomechanics analysis software.

What will you be doing?

• Experimentally explore effective strategies from collaborative manipulation and lifting looking at forces and torques and well as human posture.
• Studying the physical ergonomics of lifting and manipulating medium to high weight or bulky components based on the analysis of human biomechanics.
• Undertake fundamental research involving the development of vision and force/torque sensing, machine learning, and adaptive control technologies to create effective human-robot co-manipulation strategies.
• Testing and validating your new strategies on life-size lab demonstrators.

You should apply if:

• You have, or are expecting to receive, a first or upper second-class degree in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, control, or related disciplines.
• You are a UK home student or have equivalent status.
• You are keen to work at the cutting edge of human-robot collaboration and industrial robotics research and development.
• You are excited about working in a multi-disciplinary team to advance the state of the possible in robotics.
• You have some experience in developing control logic and programs and working with simulation software tools.

We will provide both training and mentoring opportunities to enable everyone in the team to unlock their full potential. If you have any queries regarding the vacancy, please contact Professor Niels Lohse (n.lohse@bham.ac.uk).

Funding notes:

Funding is available for a 3.5 year PhD project covering both tuition fees and a standard EPSRC stipend (for UK students only). 

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