Postgraduate research opportunities AI-driven adaptive learning in AR and VR environment for advanced ship crew training to enhance maritime safety.
ApplyKey facts
- Opens: Wednesday 28 September 2022
- Deadline: Wednesday 30 November 2022
- Number of places: 1
- Duration: 3.5 years
- Funding: International fee, Home fee, Stipend
Overview
The EPSRC PhD project, which is jointly funded by the University of Strathclyde, Intelligent Seas Ltd and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland aims to enhance maritime safety through advanced training approaches by developing AI-based adaptive learning in AR and VR environments to develop and deliver tailored training for individual crew. The PhD will be undertaken in close collaboration with Intelligent Seas Ltd. The successful candidate will join Maritime Human FactorsEligibility
Applicants should hold (or expect to get) a minimum of an upper second-class honours degree or an MSc with distinction in engineering, mathematics or computing science or a related field.
- strong knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and computing/software development skills
- strong knowledge of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
- background on experimental studies related to human-system integration
- a self-motivated individual who will lead the development and direction of their own project
- a proactive approach, with initiative and the ability to work independently
- ability to synthesise, summarise and draw conclusions
- strength to cope with schedules and deadlines
- excellent organisational and communication skills
- excellent written and spoken English
- an ability to work well in a team and collaborate across a large project
Project Details
PhD Scope
Safety is of paramount importance for ships in maritime transportation since more than 90% of world trading is performed by maritime transport. Due to the Globalisation and transport of goods ships are getting bigger, and faster and more ships are operating in the sea space. This leads to a number of major accidents, and incidents resulting in loss of lives, ships and environmental damage. Analysing the available literature, it becomes evident that humans have played a major role in past maritime accidents. The causes of more than 80% of accidents in maritime transportation are attributed to human factors.
In addition to technical requirements, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) established the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). STCW Convention’s aim is to establish basic requirements for training, certification, and watchkeeping for seafarers on an international level. However, due to the technology and demand ships have become more technologically advanced, complex, and autonomous, requiring a more skilled workforce and hence more advanced training.
Similarly, development in Information technology, computing and artificial intelligence have also started transforming education. In recent years, more advanced AI-based learning systems are gaining recognition due to their ability to deliver learning objectives/contents and adapt to the individual needs of students. With digitalisation, autonomy and communication systems, modern seafarers need not only to deal with the operation of the ships safely but also to manage all the data effectively. AI-based adaptive training systems and competency assessments will be able to identify gaps in seafarers’ knowledge and skills, and deliver personalised, targeted training programmes.
However, while AI-Based adaptive learning methods are becoming popular for teaching, their implementation for the training of workers, particularly seafarers, have not been explored yet. Furthermore, COVID, which restricted the movement of people, forced educators and training centres to adopt more innovative approaches to deliver the training and VR could become a real alternative for online remote training. However, this area requires significant research and development and AI will revolutionise the tailored training to improve the performance of the seafarers in a time and cost-effective manner.
Further information
Please contact Professor Osman Turan o.turan@strath.ac.uk
Funding details
3.5-year PhD funding covering full tuition fees (home or overseas) and stipend (Stipend is £17668(EPSRC)+£2000( top-up) stipend for 2022/23). There is also an additional £1500 a year for training or attending conferences.
Apply
Number of places: 1
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