PhD Studentship: (Semi-)Automation of Robots in Challenging Environments

This 4-year PhD is fully funded for UK home students (by The University of Manchester), but only partial funding is available for overseas students. We will also provide a tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25). The start date is October 2024.

The Robotics for Extreme Environments Group invites applications for a PhD studentship to develop (semi-)autonomous control of manipulator robots in challenging environments. The successful candidate will work at the RAICo1 facility in Cumbria, where they will have the opportunity to work in close partnership with robotics and vision experts from the University of Manchester, Sellafield Ltd and the UK Atomic Energy Authority.

The (semi-)automation of robotic systems including a robot manipulator in challenging environments is, in general, an unsolved problem. It requires the synergistic combination of state-of-the-art model-based and data-driven strategies, and the careful combination of those into a deployable system in realistic conditions. The main challenge lies in the constraints imposed by the environment, which can be in terms of obstacles and or sensorial limitations. Additionally, these types of environments are often highly constrained by nature and cluttered by objects that are difficult to detect and must be avoided. Of particular interest is how safely control the robot system in these conditions, given that the robotic system includes at least one robotic arm. This project will explore, depending on candidate’s background, various robotic systems including a robotic arm (fixed, wheeled, legged), sensors, model-based control (model-predictive control and variants), and data-driven processing of sensorial data. This project aims to address real problems with high potential for visible impact.

This project will be undertaken in the RAICo One facility (https://hotrobotics.co.uk/facilities/university-of-manchester-2/), which is located in Whitehaven, Cumbria. The facility is a collaboration between The University of Manchester, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Sellafield Ltd. The facility is well equipped with a range of robotic systems, including a Unitree B1, several Boston Dynamic Spots and various AgileX, Clearpath, Kuka, UR, and Kinova robots. RAICo One also has dedicated robotic test areas that include unique demonstration areas for aerial, ground, and aquatic robots. RAICo One focuses on developing robots for nuclear decommissioning which can operate in areas inaccessible to humans. The facility is in Cumbria, next to the Lake District, which is one of the most beautiful regions of the UK.

Eligibility

Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2.1 honours degree in engineering or computer science or an MSc qualification in Robotics, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science or other equivalent discipline.

Candidates must meet the School's minimum English Language requirement.

Candidates will be expected to comply with the University's policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Applicants will be required to evidence the following skills:

• Creative and innovation potential, ability to think out of the box.
• Motivation of the candidate for inter-disciplinary research.
• Ability to work with both academics and industrialists.
• You must be capable of performing at a very high level.
• You must have a self-driven interest in uncovering and solving unknown problems and be able to work hard and creatively without constant supervision.

Before you apply please contact the supervisors: Dr Murilo Marinho (murilo.marinho@manchester.ac.uk) and Dr Tingting Mu (tingting.mu@manchester.ac.uk)

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