Formal Verification of Robot Teams or Human Robot Interaction
Primary supervisor
Additional supervisors
- Michael Fisher
Additional information
- Gainer, P., Dixon, C., Dautenhahn, K., Fisher, M., Hustadt, U., Saunders, J. & Webster, M., CRutoN: Automatic Verification of a Robotic Assistant???s Behaviours. Critical Systems: Formal Methods and Automated Verification. 2017
- Webster, M., Western, D., Araiza-Illan, D., Dixon, C., Eder, K., Fisher, M. & Pipe, A. G., A corroborative approach to verification and validation of human-robot teams The International Journal of Robotics Research. 39, 1, p. 73-99, 2020
- Koay, K. L. et al, Use and Usability of Software Verification Methods to Detect Behaviour Interference when Teaching an Assistive Home Companion Robot: A Proof-of-Concept Study, Paladyn: Journal of Behavioral Robotics. 2021
Contact admissions office
Other projects with the same supervisor
- Developing Reliable Software for Autonomous Robots
- Security-Minded Verification for Autonomous Systems
- Trust in Human-Robot Interaction
- Formal Verification for Robot Swams and Wirelss Sensor Networks
Funding
- Directly Funded Project (European/UK Students Only)
This research project has funding attached. Funding for this project is available to citizens of a number of European countries (including the UK). In most cases this will include all EU nationals. However full funding may not be available to all applicants and you should read the full department and project details for further information.
Project description
Robots are being developed to work in small groups (robot teams) or may be designed to work in collaboration with humans (human robot interaction). The former might be necessary as it may take several robots at achieve some task, some to hold an item whilst others work on it, several to transport something etc. For the latter, robot assistants need to interact closely with the people they are working with.
It is important to make sure both robot-robot teams and human-robot teams can achieve the task where possible, can recover from failure, interact in a safe manner etc. Verification is the process that checks the system does satisfy these required properties. This is often carried out using simulation or real robot experiments. Formal verification is a mathematical analysis of systems using techniques such as model checking or temporal theorem proving.
This project involves developing and applying formal verification to robot teams and human robot interactions. Additionally, using different formal and informal verification techniques together to improve confidence in systems could be further investigated. This will help ensure that they satisfy the required properties and to investigate the robustness of the system to failure. You will need experience and interests in formal methods/formal verification for this PhD.
This PhD is part of the CRADLE research project. CRADLE is an EPSRC funded Prosperity Partnership that brings together the industrial experience that Jacobs have in applied robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) with the research expertise at the University of Manchester in this field. The partnership aims to deliver novel and transformational RAS technology that enables robots to be deployed in the most demanding environments, such as space, nuclear, energy generation and urban infrastructure, over long lengths of time.
Deadline for applciation: 28 July 2023
Person specification
For information
- Candidates must hold a minimum of an upper Second Class UK Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering 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.
Essential
Applicants will be required to evidence the following skills and qualifications.
- 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.
Desirable
Applicants will be required to evidence the following skills and qualifications.
- You will have good time management.
- You will possess determination (which is often more important than qualifications) although you'll need a good amount of both.
General
Applicants will be required to address the following.
- Comment on your transcript/predicted degree marks, outlining both strong and weak points.
- Discuss your final year Undergraduate project work - and if appropriate your MSc project work.
- How well does your previous study prepare you for undertaking Postgraduate Research?
- Why do you believe you are suitable for doing Postgraduate Research?