UK: PhD Studentship Biology Inspired Human Motion Synthesis

Deadline: As soon as possible

Bournemouth University

In conjunction with the CDE, the NCCA offers a PhD studentship to undertake the research of biology inspired human motion synthesis.

Successful candidates must have or expect to obtain, a first class or high upper second-class honours degree or a master's degree in a physical science, engineering or computing discipline.

Project Description

The aim of this project is to expand our understanding of the natural processes governing human motion adaptation. By studying the motion and dynamics of many different individuals we will develop a mathematical model which describes the transformations applied to motion primitives in order to adapt our motion to environmental changes.

Our previous experiments into the phenomenon of walking adaptation indicates that the way in which we adapt to environmental conditions is to make small alterations to existing motion primitives, by way of a set of mathematical transformations. Motion generated using our technique is as efficient as a real human walker. We have as yet only applied these observations to a purely synthetic walking model, but the applicability of these transformations to actual motion data is an exciting project which has potentially wide academic, industrial and societal impact.

The desired outcome is an experimentally derived mathematical model defining how a human adapts their motion to environmental perturbations, drawing from our previous work in phase space motion primitive adaptation. An implementation of this model has numerous applications across a number of disciplines, and may have significant commercial potential.

Prerequisites Successful candidates must have or expect to obtain, a first class or high upper second-class honours degree or a master's degree in a physical science, engineering or computing discipline. A strong mathematical background is essential, with an understanding of (at least) one of the following application areas:

Control Theory, Dynamic Systems, Motor Control, Robotics

Software development experience would be desirable but not essential.

To Apply, please contact Dr Richard Southern
(Tel: +44 1202 961877, email rsouthern@bournemouth.ac.uk)

Package The programme lasts 4 years. Successful applicants will receive their fees, a tax-free stipend of £14,000 pa and some additional support for conference attendance.