PhD Research Studentships
Precision Manipulation and Perception System for Horticulture Applications
| Supervisors: | Ketao ZHANG and Lei SU |
| Apply by: | 31 January 2024 |
| Start in: | September (Semester 1) |
Description
Research Project
The primary motivation of the project is to address the issue of labour shortages in the horticulture sector. To address the growing labour concerns and improve productivity in the horticulture sector, autonomous systems including mobile manipulators are already being trialed in the UK farming industry, however, manipulators equipped with conventional grippers lack compliance, limiting their ability to handle fragile and irregularly shaped objects. Soft grippers, however, have demonstrated the ability to grasp a wide variety of objects. In particular, underactuation is widely used t in various designs for dextrous grippers where the mechanical systems are capable of adapting to the shape of objects with a less complex control system. This project will investigate a novel approach for developing underactuated dextrous grippers with variable stiffness joints for precision grasping and manipulation towards horticulture applications. The main tasks of this project include the design and modelling of flexure hinges with inherent compliance for a multi-fingered robotics gripper and the development of smart actuators and control systems for implementing precision manipulation of soft and fragile fruits. By the end of the project, a framework for developing dexterous soft grippers will be established and evaluated with proof of concept prototypes.
Funding
Funded by: China Scholarship CouncilCandidate will need to secure a CSC scholarship.
Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
Eligibility
- The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
- If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
- Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).
- SEMS and Principal-funded studentships: this studentship arrangement covers home tuition fees and provides an annual stipend for up to three years (currently set at the 2023/24 stipend rate of £20,622 pa)
- Note that Queen Mary Research Studentships cover home-rated tuition fees only (See: www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/feestatus/ for details)
- Overseas applicants would be required to meet the difference between home and international tuition fees
Contact
For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Ketao ZHANG or Lei SU.
Apply
Start an application for this studentship and for entry onto the PhD Mechanical Engineering full-time programme (Semester 1 / September start):
Please be sure to quote the reference "SEMS-PHD-539" to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.
| Related website: | https://www.robotics.qmul.ac.uk/ | |
| SEMS Research Centre: | ||
| Keywords: | Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Control Systems, Manufacturing, Mechatronics, Robotics |