iSeat - Towards an intelligent driver seat for autonomous cars
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Civil Environmental and Geomatic Eng
Abstract
According to the most optimistic predictions, the first commercially available fully-autonomous cars are expected in 2040 offering the consumer a full end-to-end journey. These self-driving vehicles will be equipped with technology allowing autonomy Level 5 in which there is no interference required by the human. The concept of autonomy levels was first published by the international Society of Automotive Engineers in 2014. The report defines six levels of autonomy that automakers would need to achieve on their way to building the no-steering-wheel self-driving bubble pods of the future reaching from the fully-manual Level 0 to the fully-autonomous Level 5.
In the race towards the first commercially available fully-autonomous car, the majority of cars on UK roads will be equipped with technology that allows Level 3 or 4 autonomy over the next two decades. Drivers will be provided with increasingly sophisticated features such as lane-keep and steering assist. These semi-autonomous cars might be able to transport the driver autonomously on sections of a journey. However, the driver is required to take control occasionally between different levels of autonomy when required to complete an end-to-end journey. These transitions between autonomy levels cause safety concerns, as the driver might not be fully aware of the surrounding situation and the enabled autonomy features instantly.
This project proposes a new interface design for semi-autonomous cars called iSeat. This system is fundamentally different compared to current systems (such as Tesla's Autopilot or DistronicPlus by Mercedes) using visual or auditory indications which might be mentally overloading and distracting for the driver. iSeat is an intelligent driver seat acting as a co-pilot measuring the current mental and physical engagement of the driver and allowing safe, coordinated and timely transitions between different levels of autonomy. Of particular significance is the driver seat made of robotic structures serving the feedback purpose as well as providing monitoring capabilities through direct contact with the human during any level of autonomy: Tactile sensation can be fed back to the driver, the seat ergonomics and comfort can be changed and the robotic structures can measure the pressure distribution of the driver's weight. iSeat sensing information will be fused with multi-modal sensing data from electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles (Electromyography (EMG) signals) and in the driver's brain (Electroencephalography (EEG) signals), and input from vision cameras regarding the driver's posture and the point of gaze (i.e. where the driver is looking). This real-time knowledge will be classified through machine learning and affective interaction techniques in terms of the awareness state of the driver. Personalised feedback will be provided (i.e. tactile sensation, stiffness feedback, change of the driver seat ergonomics/comfort, visual/auditory feedback) to support the driver so that safe, timely, effective and intuitive transitions between different autonomy levels can be completed.
The iSeat system builds upon a complete re-think of the manner in which humans interact with autonomous cars. The smart combination of sensor systems, machine learning, affective computing, human factors, haptics and robotics will result in a bi-directional human-machine cooperation that is safe, intuitive, effective, and personalised.
In the race towards the first commercially available fully-autonomous car, the majority of cars on UK roads will be equipped with technology that allows Level 3 or 4 autonomy over the next two decades. Drivers will be provided with increasingly sophisticated features such as lane-keep and steering assist. These semi-autonomous cars might be able to transport the driver autonomously on sections of a journey. However, the driver is required to take control occasionally between different levels of autonomy when required to complete an end-to-end journey. These transitions between autonomy levels cause safety concerns, as the driver might not be fully aware of the surrounding situation and the enabled autonomy features instantly.
This project proposes a new interface design for semi-autonomous cars called iSeat. This system is fundamentally different compared to current systems (such as Tesla's Autopilot or DistronicPlus by Mercedes) using visual or auditory indications which might be mentally overloading and distracting for the driver. iSeat is an intelligent driver seat acting as a co-pilot measuring the current mental and physical engagement of the driver and allowing safe, coordinated and timely transitions between different levels of autonomy. Of particular significance is the driver seat made of robotic structures serving the feedback purpose as well as providing monitoring capabilities through direct contact with the human during any level of autonomy: Tactile sensation can be fed back to the driver, the seat ergonomics and comfort can be changed and the robotic structures can measure the pressure distribution of the driver's weight. iSeat sensing information will be fused with multi-modal sensing data from electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles (Electromyography (EMG) signals) and in the driver's brain (Electroencephalography (EEG) signals), and input from vision cameras regarding the driver's posture and the point of gaze (i.e. where the driver is looking). This real-time knowledge will be classified through machine learning and affective interaction techniques in terms of the awareness state of the driver. Personalised feedback will be provided (i.e. tactile sensation, stiffness feedback, change of the driver seat ergonomics/comfort, visual/auditory feedback) to support the driver so that safe, timely, effective and intuitive transitions between different autonomy levels can be completed.
The iSeat system builds upon a complete re-think of the manner in which humans interact with autonomous cars. The smart combination of sensor systems, machine learning, affective computing, human factors, haptics and robotics will result in a bi-directional human-machine cooperation that is safe, intuitive, effective, and personalised.
Planned Impact
Who will benefit from the project?
This outcomes of this project will benefit (i) the general public, i.e. people who will travel in autonomous cars that cannot offer full end-to-end journey, (ii) the UK industry, i.e. carmakers, aiming at producing autonomous cars, and the technology industry, that supplies carmakers with systems that will be integrated into cars and (iii) academics in the area of human factors, robotics and transport engineering. Other major beneficiaries will be policy makers who will investigate ways to standardise procedures in autonomous cars to ensure safety.
How will they benefit from the project?
The general public - Autonomous vehicles will transform the transportation industry beyond the automotive and technology industries and affect delivery services and public transport even in remote areas and dispersed communities. An autonomous vehicle will certainly be, for the majority of people, the first "autonomous robot" that they are interacting with on a daily basis and that might make decisions through AI that can be life-threatening. To overcome any lack of trust and confidence in these autonomous robots, which might lead to any constraints of public acceptance, iSeat addresses human-machine cooperation risk factors and introduces intelligent sensing and intuitive (haptic) feedback technologies into the driving environment.
The UK industry - The annual economic benefits of autonomous cars is predicted to grow to £51 and £121 billion by 2030 and 2040 respectively. Reliability and safety concerns can be extremely damaging for carmakers. For instance, after Tesla's Autopilot crash in 2016, new tighter regulations were released on testing automation features. Tighter regulation could slow the development and introduction of new technology. In worse cases, new developments might be aborted due to high-risk commercialisation factors. Further, autonomous cars are transformative for the automotive industry at large - acting as a catalyst for new products and technology. The introduction of autonomous cars will revolutionise safety. iSeat aims at reducing safety risks involved in the process of taking back control from a car or vice versa, which will lead to direct economic impacts to various road industries such as the automotive, coach, trucking, ground shipping, as well as, other transportation sectors such as aviation, maritime and rail. This will help the UK to become world-leading in the development of technological products and to attract experts for human-machine cooperation of autonomous cars.
Academics - Due to the high-risk nature of the proposed work, this project will primarily produce new knowledge and understanding on how various feedback modalities can support drivers to gain the right level of engagement/vigilance, optimally complete procedural steps between different levels of autonomy, and efficiently get back into the control loop in various driving situations. The knowledge gained throughout this project will be beneficial for other application areas such as the integration of collaborative robots that work closely together with the human in industrial settings.
This outcomes of this project will benefit (i) the general public, i.e. people who will travel in autonomous cars that cannot offer full end-to-end journey, (ii) the UK industry, i.e. carmakers, aiming at producing autonomous cars, and the technology industry, that supplies carmakers with systems that will be integrated into cars and (iii) academics in the area of human factors, robotics and transport engineering. Other major beneficiaries will be policy makers who will investigate ways to standardise procedures in autonomous cars to ensure safety.
How will they benefit from the project?
The general public - Autonomous vehicles will transform the transportation industry beyond the automotive and technology industries and affect delivery services and public transport even in remote areas and dispersed communities. An autonomous vehicle will certainly be, for the majority of people, the first "autonomous robot" that they are interacting with on a daily basis and that might make decisions through AI that can be life-threatening. To overcome any lack of trust and confidence in these autonomous robots, which might lead to any constraints of public acceptance, iSeat addresses human-machine cooperation risk factors and introduces intelligent sensing and intuitive (haptic) feedback technologies into the driving environment.
The UK industry - The annual economic benefits of autonomous cars is predicted to grow to £51 and £121 billion by 2030 and 2040 respectively. Reliability and safety concerns can be extremely damaging for carmakers. For instance, after Tesla's Autopilot crash in 2016, new tighter regulations were released on testing automation features. Tighter regulation could slow the development and introduction of new technology. In worse cases, new developments might be aborted due to high-risk commercialisation factors. Further, autonomous cars are transformative for the automotive industry at large - acting as a catalyst for new products and technology. The introduction of autonomous cars will revolutionise safety. iSeat aims at reducing safety risks involved in the process of taking back control from a car or vice versa, which will lead to direct economic impacts to various road industries such as the automotive, coach, trucking, ground shipping, as well as, other transportation sectors such as aviation, maritime and rail. This will help the UK to become world-leading in the development of technological products and to attract experts for human-machine cooperation of autonomous cars.
Academics - Due to the high-risk nature of the proposed work, this project will primarily produce new knowledge and understanding on how various feedback modalities can support drivers to gain the right level of engagement/vigilance, optimally complete procedural steps between different levels of autonomy, and efficiently get back into the control loop in various driving situations. The knowledge gained throughout this project will be beneficial for other application areas such as the integration of collaborative robots that work closely together with the human in industrial settings.
Publications
Almanzor E
(2023)
Static Shape Control of Soft Continuum Robots Using Deep Visual Inverse Kinematic Models
in IEEE Transactions on Robotics
Gandarias J
(2020)
Open-Loop Position Control in Collaborative, Modular Variable-Stiffness-Link (VSL) Robots
in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters
Krol, J
Identification of EEG Signatures Associated with Situational Awareness under Label Uncertainty
in Expert Systems with Applications
Kästle J
(2021)
Correlation between Situational Awareness and EEG signals
in Neurocomputing
Kästle JL
(2021)
Correlation between Situational Awareness and EEG signals
in Neurocomputing
Peters J
(2021)
Hybrid fluidic actuation for a foam-based soft actuator
Peters J
(2024)
Acceptance and Usability of a Soft Robotic, Haptic Feedback Seat for Autonomy Level Transitions in Highly Automated Vehicles.
in IEEE transactions on haptics
Shariati, A
Situational Awareness Consideration for Transition between Levels of Autonomy Levels in Highly Automated Vehicles
in IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems
Shi J
(2023)
Stiffness modelling and analysis of soft fluidic-driven robots using Lie theory
in The International Journal of Robotics Research
Shi J
(2024)
Position and Orientation Control for Hyperelastic Multisegment Continuum Robots
in IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics
Description | This project effectively started on 2 Jan 2019 after 2 rounds of recruitment (interview process). We developed a reconfigurable structure as a haptic feedback interface in a driver seat to guide drivers during transition between different levels of autonomy. We have made a review on existing situation awareness and detection systems for transition between autonomy level in (highly) automated vehicles. We have also collected and analysed data on situational awareness and we tested multiple models to establish a relationship between signals received from a human brain and situational awareness. |
Exploitation Route | We are currently exploring a number of robotic origami systems that can be used as haptic feedback actuators informing the driver of transitions between different levels of autonomy. This haptic feedback system may also be used to inform drivers of the current autonomy level of the vehicle. We have analysed data about driver Situation Awareness (SA) detection systems, classified equipment and approaches to measure SA, and reviewed all accidents of highly-automated vehicles in California, USA. The outcomes will define scenarios that will need to be designed to validate new technologies for highly-automated vehicles. Also, it will guide research and development in other sectors such as manufacturing industry where SA is critical. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Healthcare Transport |
Description | Contribution to the UK Connected and Automated Mobility Roadmap to 2030 |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
URL | https://zenzic.io/roadmap/ |
Description | Expert for new funding programme for the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany) |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | n/a |
Description | CAPES/PRINT program - Call no. 41/2017 |
Amount | R$ 13,790 (BRL) |
Organisation | Federal University of Santa Catarina |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | Brazil |
Start | 03/2024 |
End | 04/2024 |
Description | Capital Award in Support of Early Career Researchers at UCL |
Amount | £425,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/S01800X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2018 |
End | 03/2020 |
Description | DfT Transport-Technology Research Innovation (T-TRIG) Grant - GAIN |
Amount | £29,959 (GBP) |
Organisation | Department of Transport |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2020 |
End | 06/2020 |
Description | EIT Urban Mobility - AI-TraWell |
Amount | € 401,463 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 128547 |
Organisation | European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Hungary |
Start | 01/2020 |
End | 12/2020 |
Description | LivingLAPT: future apt LIVING Lab for Autonomous Public Transport |
Amount | € 1,558,746 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 22026 |
Organisation | European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Hungary |
Start | 01/2022 |
End | 12/2022 |
Description | LivingLAPT: future apt LIVING Lab for Autonomous Public Transport |
Amount | € 163,181,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 23373 |
Organisation | European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Hungary |
Start | 01/2023 |
End | 12/2023 |
Description | Non-Dynamic driving tasks |
Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | TFTS1018 - Non-Dynamic driving tasks |
Organisation | Department of Transport |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2024 |
End | 01/2025 |
Description | Performing Place - Trellis programme - EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account - The Dancing Brain |
Amount | £8,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2020 |
End | 05/2020 |
Description | The University of Sydney - University College London Partnership Collaboration Awards (PCA) |
Amount | $20,000 (AUD) |
Organisation | University of Sydney |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | Australia |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 07/2023 |
Description | Two Departmental PhD funding |
Amount | £140,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University College London |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2020 |
Description | UK-RAS Strategic Task Group for Soft Robotics |
Amount | £38,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Department | UK-RAS Network |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2020 |
End | 02/2020 |
Title | An analytical methodologyto identify EEG signatures associated with SA on various regions of the brain |
Description | An important aspect in safety-critical domains is Situational Awareness (SA) where operators consolidate data into an understanding of the situation that needs to be updated dynamically as the situation changes over time. Among existing measures of SA, only physiological measures can assess the cognitive processes associated with SA in real-time. Some studies showed promise in detecting cognitive states associated with SA in complex tasks using brain signals (e.g. electroencephalogram/EEG). We developed an analytical methodology to identify EEG signatures associated with SA on various regions of the brain. |
Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | How to identify operator's situational awareness is one of the most important problems in ergonomics study. Although there are several methods (SAGAT, 3D-SART, SPAM, operation performance, et al.) which can be used for measuring operator's situational awareness, the physiological index which can clearly reflect operator's situational awareness is hard to find, especially for the level 2 and level 3 of situational awareness. We investigated the correlation between situational awareness and EEG signals. |
URL | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925231220319263 |
Title | Audio system |
Description | A new audio system which increases the realism decisively and enhances user experience. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Improved immersion and enhanced user experience, hence better datasets were collected for analysis. |
URL | https://www.ucl-intelligent-mobility.com/ |
Title | High graphics in the drive simulator |
Description | Better graphics for increases realism as well as better hardware and software integration, also with other services (e.g. OSM) and interfaces (e.g. UDP). |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Improved immersion and enhanced user experience, hence better datasets were collected for analysis. |
URL | https://www.ucl-intelligent-mobility.com/ |
Title | Hybrid fluidic actuation system for a foam-based soft actuator |
Description | Actuation means for soft robotic structures are manifold: despite actuation mechanisms such as tendon-driven manipulators or shape memory alloys, the majority of soft robotic actuators are fluidically actuated - either purely by positive or negative air pressure or by hydraulic actuation only. The novel idea of employing hybrid fluidic - hydraulic and pneumatic - actuation for soft robotic systems is proposed in this project. The concept and design of the hybrid actuation system as well as the fabrication of the soft actuator are: Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) foam is embedded inside a casted, reinforced silicone chamber. A hydraulic and pneumatic robotic syringe pump are connected to the base and top of the soft actuator. We found that a higher percentage of hydraulics resulted in a higher output force. Hydraulic actuation further is able to change displacements at a higher rate compared to pneumatic actuation. Changing between Hydraulic:Pneumatic (HP) ratios shows how stiffness properties of a soft actuator can be varied. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Contribution to fundamental science in soft robotic actuation presented at IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS). |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipa3_-FVvHw |
Title | Sound system |
Description | A realistic sound environment for driving scenes. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Improved immersion and enhanced user experience, hence better datasets were collected for analysis. |
URL | https://www.ucl-intelligent-mobility.com/ |
Title | 32-channel dry-EEG dataset from participants completing the Situational Awareness test in the Psychology Experiment Building Language |
Description | A new data set from 32 participants completing the Situational Awareness test in the Psychology Experiment Building Language (PEBL) is collected using a 32-channel dry-EEG headset. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Multiple collaboration opportunities with Industry and Academia |
URL | https://rdr.ucl.ac.uk/ |
Title | Driving scenarios embedded in Unity |
Description | Unity simulation of the M3 between London and Southampton. The driving scenario of our experiment is embedded in Unity based on our analysis of real-world incidents involving highly automated vehicles to enable further research/application-driven analysis. The whole simulation environment is modular, so one can create any real-world road layout from Open Street Map (OSM) automatically as a scene and only have to define a starting point for the vehicle. |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | It enables critical peer assessment and established open collaborative partnerships across the globe. |
URL | https://liveuclac-my.sharepoint.com/personal/ucesjka_ucl_ac_uk/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx |
Title | Driving simulation model |
Description | (1) Vehicle drives autonomously and the driver can override inputs by turning the steering wheel or pressing the throttle or brake pedal. (2) Other vehicles (NPCs) are randomly populating the scene. |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Fundamental - this enabled collecting data for our experiments and monitoring the cognitive and physical engagement of the driver (e.g., hands/eyes/mind on/off). |
URL | https://github.com/BaniAnvari/SAVE |
Title | Model for analysis of EEG and eye tracking datasets |
Description | Model for analysis of EEG and eye tracking datasets in order to identify Situational Awareness level and investigate trust. Data processing include FFT, machine learning algorithms (e.g. ICA, PCA, neural networks), direct measures (e.g. blinking, gaze patterns, reaction times, questionnaire responses) and statistical methods (e.g. t-test, ANOVA). |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Through this model, other EEG and eye tracking datasets can be studied to identify Situational Awareness level and investigate trust. This enables critical peer assessment and establishes open collaborative partnerships across the globe. |
URL | https://github.com/BaniAnvari/SAVE |
Title | Model for analysis of EEG datasets |
Description | A problem formulation is proposed to design a model under label uncertainty, which is able to differentiate between high and low Situational Awareness. |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Based on the new classifier the spatial areas and frequency ranges associated with Situational Awareness can be identified. Through this model, other EEG datasets can be studied and this enables critical peer assessment and establishes open collaborative partnerships across the globe. |
URL | https://github.com/BaniAnvari/SAVE |
Title | Quantitative (i.e. physiological/behavioural) and qualitative (i.e. self-reporting SA/ratings) datasets |
Description | New anonymised quantitative (i.e. physiological/behavioural) and qualitative (i.e. self-reporting SA/ratings) data sets from participants completing the experiments using a 32-channel dry-EEG headset and eye tracker in the car simulator of IM@UCL. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | It enables critical peer assessment and established open collaborative partnerships across the globe. |
URL | https://liveuclac-my.sharepoint.com/personal/ucesjka_ucl_ac_uk/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx |
Description | In-kind contribution of a car |
Organisation | Honda Of The UK Manufacturing Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | ideas/knowledge |
Collaborator Contribution | An in-kind contribution of a Honda HRV to UCL |
Impact | - Building a stationary Driver-in-the-Loop car simulator (Sigma series) at UCL in collaboration with Ansible Motion Ltd (Collaboration between Mechanical Eng. and Transport Eng.) - Successful funding application: Securing another research grant from DfT Search Transport-Technology Research Innovation Grants ((Collaboration between Mechanical Eng., Transport Eng. and Human factors psychology, Computer Science) |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Industrial Collaboration Horiba MIRA |
Organisation | Horiba |
Department | HORIBA MIRA |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Knowledge exchange |
Collaborator Contribution | Knowledge exchange |
Impact | Knowledge exchange |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Industrial Collaboration with Ansible Motion |
Organisation | Ansible Motion |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Knowledge exchange; software and hardware support |
Collaborator Contribution | Knowledge exchange; software and hardware support |
Impact | Knowledge exchange; software and hardware development and update |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Knowledge exchange with Ansible Motion Ltd |
Organisation | Ansible Motion |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Ideas and knowledge exchange especially on: - Building a simulation environment using Unity - A robotic seat to provide haptic feedback to drivers |
Collaborator Contribution | Ideas and knowledge on the current practice and future avenues of Driver-in-the Loop simulators around the world |
Impact | Collaboration Successful funding application Submission of a new proposal to UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub for collaboration on a specific topic |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Knowledge exchange with McLaren Applied |
Organisation | McLaren Applied Technologies |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We provided our knowledge domain expertise and knowledge. |
Collaborator Contribution | They have expertise in data analytics to provide decision insight in complex scenarios, improve decision making. They provided their knowledge on data management tools. |
Impact | Submission of a proposal to UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub for collaboration on a specific topic. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Public engagement in collaboration with Akamedi |
Organisation | Akademi |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Knowledge, ideas and equipment |
Collaborator Contribution | Contacts, knowledge and ideas |
Impact | Public engagement and outreach Successful funding application: The Dancing Brain funded by EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Research collaboration with MIRA Ltd |
Organisation | MIRA Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We provided use of equipment and models. |
Collaborator Contribution | They provided knowledge and collaborative research ideas. They will us with the experimental design, interpretation of results, scale-up using their CAV testing equipment and facilities such as their Network Guided Vehicle/City Circuit. |
Impact | Potential collaboration: - Identified potential joint PhD studies - Joint proposal writing - Submission of a new proposal to UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub for collaboration on a specific topic |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | 11 Invited Talks (7) and Panel Discussions (4) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Dissemination, training, knowledge exchange, and contribution to the UK Connected and Automated Mobility Roadmap to 2030 : 1. Invited as expert on intelligent mobility for panel discussion with Amey, TfL and Connected Places Catapult (70 innovation leaders) / Title: Intelligent Mobility - What needs to happen for sustainable transport / Location: Digital Cities Networking Event - The Drive to Sustainability, EIT Digital, London, UK 2. Invited as expert for panel discussion with FiveAI, Ford Mobility and Innovate UK (50 CAV experts) / Title: Society and people / Location: Workshop on the UK Connected and Automated Roadmap to 2030, Zenzic (formerly known as Meridian), London, UK 3. Invited as expert for panel discussion with Nissan, Waze and RAC (40 CAV experts) / Title: Connectivity: How can the connected car contribute to a better London? / Location: The London Automotive Forum, Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) & Transport for London (TfL), London, UK 4. Invited as expert for panel discussion with DfT and TfL (100 international students) / Title: Integration of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles within Transport Systems / Location: Global Student Engineering Conference 2017 - Sustainable Cities, UCL Mechanical Engineering, London, UK 5. Invited online talk (200 experts from academia, industries and cities) / Title: Morphing between Levels of Situational Awareness in Highly-automated Vehicles / Smart Cities, IoT and AI, AI Tech North 2020, UK 6. Invited talk (80 international students and academics) / Title: Overview of the Development of Technology of CAV and Drones / Location: Annual Leadership Training Programme, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK 7. Invited talk (80 international students and academics) / Title: Implementation and Impact of CAV Drones for Cities / Location: Annual Leadership Training Programme, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK 8. Invited talk along with Stanford, MIT and University of Cambridge (85 academics) / Title: Morphing between Levels of Situational Awareness in Highly-automated Vehicles / Location: International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) Workshop on Soft Haptic Interaction, Montreal, Canada 9. Invited seminar (15 academics) / Title: Intuitive Haptic Feedback for Take Over Tasks in AVs / Location: UCL Energy Institute, London, UK 10. Invited talk along with Stanford, MIT, and EPFL and Technical University of Munich / Title: Human-machine Interaction for autonomous vehicles / Location: IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) Workshop on Shape Changing Robotic Structures and Interfaces, Madrid, Spain 11. Invited talk (70 academics) / Title: Future of Mobility: Modelling and Optimisation / Location: The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020 |
Description | British Science Festival, Exeter, UK - Haptics applications in healthcare and autonomous driving |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | At the British Science Festival, our team had the opportunity to demonstrate a diverse array of haptic technology emerging from our laboratory, encompassing applications in robotic surgery, prosthetics, and autonomous driving. These demonstrations provided a tangible insight into how haptic feedback can significantly enhance precision and safety in surgical procedures, improve the functionality and realism of prosthetic limbs, and increase the responsiveness and user-friendliness of autonomous vehicles. The showcase highlighted the transformative potential of haptics across various sectors, particularly in healthcare and autonomous driving, illustrating our commitment to advancing technology that bridges the gap between humans and machines through the power of touch. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Demo at the EIT Urban Mobility Booth in the Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | At the Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress, our team showcased a demonstration at the EIT Urban Mobility Booth, highlighting our groundbreaking project, LivingLAPT. This international research endeavor aims to revolutionize urban transport by introducing sustainable and transferable autonomous shuttle and logistics services across various European cities. A pivotal aspect of our project is the innovative transition from onboard safety operators to remote operators capable of simultaneously overseeing multiple services. The primary purpose of this demo was to exhibit the potential of autonomous mobility solutions to enhance urban transportation efficiency and sustainability. By illustrating the operational model and the technology underpinning the shift to remote operation, we sought to engage stakeholders, including city planners, transportation officials, and the broader public, in a dialogue about the future of urban mobility. The outcomes and impacts of this activity were significant. The demonstration generated considerable interest among attendees, sparking in-depth discussions about the practical implementation, safety, and scalability of autonomous shuttle and logistics services. Many expressed enthusiasm about the project's approach to reducing the carbon footprint and alleviating urban congestion through innovative technology. Feedback from the event indicated a heightened awareness and optimism regarding the viability and benefits of autonomous mobility solutions. Several city representatives in attendance expressed keen interest in exploring potential collaborations to pilot the LivingLAPT project within their urban settings. This response underscores the growing recognition of the need for sustainable transport alternatives and the pivotal role of advanced technologies in shaping the future of urban mobility. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.eiturbanmobility.eu/tomorrow-mobility/ |
Description | Disruptive Thinkers: Video Series |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Each month, UCL is releasing a new video showcasing a different side to engineering, explaining how our researchers are innovating and helping to make a difference in the world from across the UCL Engineering Faculty. We were selected for the first round of these videos. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.ucl.ac.uk/engineering/research/disruptive-thinkers-video-series#Autonomous%20vehicles |
Description | Exhibition at the Coventry Robot Day 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | At the Coventry Robot Day, the team will present their work on Robotics and AI to the General Public. Part of the exhibition will be a number of soft robotic devices and haptic interfaces, e.g., a prosthetic fingertip with mechano-tactile feedback, a haptic driving seat and a wearable haptic device for minimally invasive surgery. As part of the exhibition, there will be also a talk that will further introduce the work from the UCL Soft Haptics and Robotics team on Robotics and AI. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.robotday.co.uk/ |
Description | Fifteen Seconds Festival, Graz, Austria - Panel member: Will AI replace humans? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | At the Fifteen Seconds Festival in Graz, Austria, I participated as a panel member in the thought-provoking discussion titled "Will AI Replace Humans?" Throughout the debate, I delved into the concerns held by the public regarding AI, distinguishing between unfounded fears and legitimate issues. We explored the real concerns that warrant attention and discussed various strategies to mitigate these risks. The session provided a platform for a balanced discourse on the future of AI in our society, emphasising the importance of understanding, regulating, and integrating AI in a manner that complements human capabilities rather than replacing them. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Four Invited Panels |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 1. Accelerating CAV deployment - Test-beds, Pilots and Demonstrators (IDEALondon/Capital Enterprise) 2. Digital Cities Networking Event - The Drive to Sustainability (EIT Digital) 3. Workshop on the UK Connected and Automated Roadmap to 2030 (Zenzic (formerly known as Meridian)) 4. The London Automotive Forum (KTN & TfL) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
Description | Haptic feedback for autonomous vehicles, TAS Programme All Hands Meeting 2022, London, UK |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Exhibiiton stand at the All Hands meeting of the UKRI TAS Hub. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | ICRA 2022 Workshop on Leveraging Advancements in Smart Materials Science: Soft Robots Gaining New Abilities through Smart and Functional Materials, Philadelphia, USA |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | The field of soft robotics has made inroads into a number of applications, filling the niches where traditional robots are unable to compete. This development is driven by new smart and functionalized materials that enable innovative soft robotic abilities. This ICRA 2022 workshop will bring together experts from the fields of materials science and soft robotics, bridging the gap between the disciplines to develop the next generation of cutting-edge soft robotic systems. The workshop will explore current challenges to create new soft robotic systems using smart and functionalized materials in the future. Three sessions, each introduced by a leading researcher from materials science and followed by keynote presentations of soft robotics researchers, will focus on smart materials for actuators, sensors and applications. A panel discussion, moderated and streamed by the Soft Robotics Debate, will discuss obstacles, challenges and the future direction. As part of the workshop, real demonstrators will be presented to illustrate the opportunities arising from smart materials in a soft robotic context. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.spp2100.de/icra2022 |
Description | IEEE Students' Section conference, London, UK - Sustainable medical devices |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | At the IEEE Students' Section conference held in London, UK, at City, University of London, I had the opportunity to present to about 40 taught and research students about sustainable medical devices. My presentation aimed to enlighten attendees on the critical importance of sustainability in the development and implementation of medical devices. By sharing knowledge and insights into how sustainable practices can be integrated into the lifecycle of medical devices, the session fostered a deeper understanding among the future engineers and researchers. This initiative underscored the significance of sustainability in healthcare technology, encouraging innovative thinking towards creating eco-friendly and efficient medical solutions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
Description | IM@UCL event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Launch of the IM@UCL facility, dissemination of the on-going research using this facility, and invitation for collaboration with industry and across disciplines. departments, and faculties at UCL. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | IM@UCL podcast series |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | A podcast to disseminate our research activities within the field of CAV. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.ucl-intelligent-mobility.com/ |
Description | Invited talk - Inherently Soft - Inherently Safe: Robotics Research at UCL, University of Toronto Robotics Institute, Canada |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Invited talk - Morphing between Levels of Situational Awareness in Highly-automated Vehicles, ICRA 2019 Workshop on Soft Haptic Interaction: Modelling, Design and Application, Montreal, Canada |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Invited talk - Soft Material Robotics: Inherently Soft - Inherently Safe, Brunel Robotics Engineering Society, Brunel University, London, UK |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Invited talk: Inherently soft - inherently safe: Robots of the future, UCL - Japan Youth Challenge |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | This talk was part of a UCL - Japan Youth Challenge to promote a career in a STEM subject. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Invited talk: Soft Robotics and AI, UCL Artificial Intelligence Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | The UCL Artificial Intelligence Society invited me to talk about Robotics and AI, encouraging students to chose a future direction in this subject. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://uclaisociety.co.uk/ |
Description | Invited talk: Soft, stiffness-controllable robotic systems - future applications and impact, The BioRobotics Institute, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | This talk was held at The BioRobotics Institute, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies for postgraduate taught and research students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Invited talk: Stiffening in soft robots through material shifting, RoboSoft 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | This talk was part of a workshop held at the IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics sharing ideas and applications of soft robotic systems. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Invited to talk at EIT Urban Mobility's Partner's Day within the Interactive Exchange Knowledge Panel on Low emissions zones and logistics |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | EIT Urban Mobility's Partners' Day, taking place in Prague on the 12th and 13th of March is an exclusive event organised to bring together influential stakeholders from city councils, the private sector, research institutes, and educational organisations within the urban mobility field. The intended purpose of the Partners' Day is to facilitate the discovery of insights and opportunities, enable connections, and exchange ideas through both formal and informal settings. Additionally, it aims to provide ample opportunities for networking among participants. The anticipated benefits/outcomes/impacts include enhanced collaboration and partnerships among key players in urban mobility, the generation of innovative solutions to mobility challenges, and the strengthening of the community's cohesion. Such an event could lead to increased future cooperation on projects, the sharing of best practices, and potentially, the acceleration of advancements in urban mobility solutions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://eitum.sharepoint.com/sites/Partners/Publications%20Library/Partners%20Day%202024%20-%20full%... |
Description | Keynote Talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Trends in Urbanization, Smart Cities and Transport (BMW Summer School) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Keynote talk: Soft Robotics for Healthcare, International Workshop on Bionic Engineering (IWBE), Manchester, UK |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This talk was given at the International Workshop on Bionic Engineering and introduced applications of soft robotis in healthcare and highly automated vehicles. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://isbe-online.org/?ui=english&mod=info&act=view&id=4238 |
Description | Keynote talk: Soft materials for robotic application in healthcare, industry & autonomous vehicles, International Congress of Mechanical Engineering |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | At the 2021 International Congress of Mechanical Engineering, I introduced soft materials for robotic application in healthcare, industry & autonomous vehicles. This conference is the leading MechEng conference in South America. In 2021, it is the 50th anniversary. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://eventos.abcm.org.br/cobem2021/content/uploads/2021/11/FINAL-PROGRAM-COBEM-2021.pdf |
Description | Keynote talk: Soft robotics across different scales, UK-China Symposium on Advanced Manufacturing |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I presented how soft robotics across different scales can be applied. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Outreach and widening participation activity |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Seven lectures on Robotic Applications to Elutec Academy of Design and Engineering |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Presentation at the workshop on AI for Traffic Safety Analysis, in partnership with Chulalongkorn University and funded by UCL's Global Engagement Fund |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | At a workshop themed "Artificial Intelligence for Traffic Safety Analysis," I had the opportunity to present our cutting-edge research from the IM@UCL lab at PEARL, focusing particularly on the safety and acceptance of autonomous vehicles and their interactions with humans and other modes of transport, as explored in our LivingLAPT project. The presentation aimed to highlight the innovative approaches we're employing to ensure that autonomous vehicles can coexist safely and effectively within the broader transportation ecosystem. A key aspect of our discussion revolved around the unique challenges and considerations for implementing autonomous vehicle technologies in Thailand compared to European contexts. This comparative analysis sparked insightful debates among attendees about the cultural, infrastructural, and regulatory adaptations necessary to optimize AI for traffic safety across different global settings. The outcomes of this workshop were multifaceted. It fostered a deepened understanding of the complexities involved in developing and integrating AI-driven autonomous vehicle technologies with an emphasis on safety and public acceptance. Attendees, ranging from researchers and practitioners to policy makers, engaged in vibrant discussions, reflecting on the insights presented and considering their application within their respective domains. One notable impact of the presentation was the initiation of a dialogue on international collaboration to address common challenges and share best practices in the field of traffic safety and autonomous vehicles. Feedback indicated that the workshop not only enhanced attendees' awareness of the potential of AI in improving traffic safety but also motivated them to explore innovative solutions tailored to their local contexts. This event underscored the importance of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration in advancing the safe integration of autonomous vehicles into our global transportation networks. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Presentation in the Centre for Transport Studies Alumni Event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | At the UCL Centre for Transport Studies (CTS) Alumni Event, I had the privilege of addressing a diverse audience of past and present research students, staff, and doctoral alumni to celebrate the rich history and bright future of CTS. The event, designed to foster social connections and celebrate academic and research achievements, provided an ideal backdrop for my talk, which aimed to bridge the past successes and future challenges in the field of transport studies. During my presentation, I highlighted some of the landmark achievements of CTS and discussed the evolving challenges that the field faces, particularly in the context of sustainability, technology integration, and urban mobility. I emphasized the role of education and research in navigating these challenges, pointing to the launch of the new Masters programme in Transport and Mobility Systems as a testament to CTS's commitment to innovation and excellence in transport studies. The intended purpose of my talk was to inspire reflection on our collective journey in the field of transport studies, to celebrate the achievements we have made together, and to motivate current and future generations of researchers and practitioners to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible. The outcomes of this activity were highly positive. The presentation sparked engaging discussions among attendees, with many expressing renewed enthusiasm for contributing to the field of transport studies. The launch of the CTS alumni network was particularly well-received, as it promised to strengthen the bonds within our community and facilitate ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange. Moreover, the event's social atmosphere allowed for meaningful reconnecting and networking, with alumni and current members sharing experiences, insights, and aspirations. Feedback from participants indicated a high level of appreciation for the opportunity to engage with the wider CTS community, celebrate our shared heritage, and look forward with excitement to the future of transport studies. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cts-reunion-2023-tickets-632163988507 |
Description | Robot Day Coventry, UK - Haptics for social interaction and autonomous vehicles |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | At Robot Day Coventry, UK 2023, our team showcased our research in haptic technologies specifically designed for surgical applications, prosthetic devices and autonomous driving. This event allowed us to demonstrate how our advancements in haptic feedback mechanisms are set to transform the precision and intuitiveness of surgical operations and enhance the functionality of prosthetics, offering users a more natural and responsive experience to the public and school pupils. Our participation underscored our commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical robotics, aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of life through innovative technological solutions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.robotday.co.uk/ |
Description | Robot Day Exhibition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | We will showcase our haptic feedback seat in the Robot Day's exhibition. Robot Day offers physical and virtual free events for all ages. A typical event involves activities such as building a robot, hands-on coding and hearing from inspirational experts. There also artistic performances such as craft and dance workshops, as well as range of static and moving exhibits. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.robotday.co.uk/events |
Description | Robot Talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Participating in the UK-RAS Network's Robot Talk podcast, I engaged in a thought-provoking panel discussion focused on the intersection of robotics and science fiction. The conversation began with a discussion on the most accurate or realistic depictions of robotics in science fiction, setting the stage for a deeper exploration into how these portrayals influence current and future technologies. Key points of discussion included: The desire to see specific robotics innovations from science fiction materialize in the real world, emphasizing the creative inspiration drawn from these narratives. Examples of how science fiction has directly inspired the development of new robotics technology, demonstrating the genre's role in sparking innovation. The impact of science fiction on roboticists' consideration of the ethical and societal implications of their work, highlighting the importance of foresight in technology development. A debate on whether science fiction has generally fostered a positive or negative public perception of robots and their role in society. The outcomes of this discussion were multifaceted, contributing to a broader dialogue about the symbiotic relationship between speculative fiction and technological advancement. Notably, the podcast sparked interest and discussions among listeners, ranging from enthusiasts and professionals in the field of robotics to a general audience curious about the future of technology. This engagement underscored the importance of interdisciplinary conversations in shaping the development of robotics/Autonomous Systems, ensuring that innovation is balanced with ethical considerations and societal needs. Feedback from the audience suggested a heightened awareness of the complexities involved in integrating robotics into everyday life, as well as an increased interest in how science fiction continues to inspire real-world technological advancements. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.ukras.org.uk/news/robot-talk-episode-fifty-four-out-now |
Description | Robotics at UCL, TLA Robotics Networking Event, London, UK |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | UK Network for Robotics. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Soft haptics, Bloomsbury Festival, London, UK |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Two projects (haptic driving seat and haptic interface for robotic surgery) was exhibited at the 2022 Bloomsbury Festival. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://bloomsburyfestival.org.uk/ |
Description | Soft, stiffness-controllable robotic systems - future applications and impact, Leeds Robotics, Leeds University, UK |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Invited talk at Leeds University to initialise collaboration on soft robotics related topics. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Spring into STEM |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | This talk was part of the UCL Engineering series of virtual lectures exploring hot topics in STEM and key research across departments. This lecture was free to attend and open to anyone wanting to discover more about Robotics and AI. Spring into STEM lectures are designed to prompt us all to think creatively about how we can apply innovative STEM solutions and novel approaches to the complexities of the world around us. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://youtu.be/bC_O4tuS_8o |
Description | Talk at The Fifteen Seconds Festival - Living in harmony with Autonomous Vehicles: Towards a creative language |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I delivered a presentation titled 'Living in Harmony with Autonomous Vehicles: Towards a Creative Language' at The Fifteen Seconds Festival in Graz. The talk addressed the imminent integration of autonomous and driverless vehicles into our daily lives and the imperative to foster a symbiotic relationship between humans and these advanced systems. Key topics included societal integration, trust-building between humans and autonomous systems, and intuitive communication methods with driverless vehicles. The aim was to spark a broader conversation on these pivotal themes and explore innovative approaches to seamless coexistence. Feedback suggested the talk was effective in generating interest and dialogue among attendees about the future of transportation, indicating a growing curiosity and concern over how autonomous vehicles will shape our societal landscape and daily interactions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | The 7th Annual IEEE UK and Ireland RAS Chapter Conference - Applications for stiffness-controllable robotics |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | I was invited to speak at the 7th Annual IEEE UK and Ireland RAS Chapter Conference, where the focus of my talk was on "Applications for Stiffness-Controllable Robotics." This event, organised by the IEEE Robotics and Automation section for the UK and Ireland, serves as a vital forum for members to come together, network, and exchange information on the latest research and developments in the field. My presentation aimed to shed light on the innovative applications of stiffness-controllable robotics, emphasising their potential to revolutionise various industries through enhanced adaptability and efficiency. The conference provided an excellent platform to engage with fellow professionals and academics, contributing to the ongoing discourse on advancing robotics technology. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
Description | The Autonomous Vehicle Takeover, Fifteen Seconds Festival, Graz, Austria |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Keynote talk at the Fifteen Seconds Festival, an international platform at the intersection of business, innovation, and creativity, calling all curious minds eager to share their knowledge, drive positive change, and shape the future. Initialised potential collaboration with the University of Graz. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | The Business of Events UK Policy Forum, London, UK - Panel member: How Ambassadors Influence Growth - ICRA 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | At "The Business of Events UK Policy Forum" held in London, UK, I was privileged to serve as a panel member discussing "How Ambassadors Influence Growth." In this capacity, I shared insights from my role as co-general chair of ICRA 2023, detailing the impact of my research and the collaborative success achieved in partnership with TFI Lodestar and London & Partners. This opportunity allowed me to elucidate on the significant impact ambassadors can have in fostering growth and success within the events industry, leveraging our collective achievements at ICRA 2023 as a prime example of effective collaboration and strategic planning. The dialogue was not only a reflection of our accomplishments but also a testament to the potential for future events to benefit from similar ambassadorial influence. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Building on the success of the Smart Mobility Congress, Fira Barcelona in partnership with the EIT Urban Mobility - an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union- launch Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress, the ultimate worldwide platform to accelerate sustainable and intelligent urban mobility. This project aimed to become a global benchmark in the transport sector combining an ever-growing leading event with an all-year-round digital platform and an innovation hub attracting the industry's key players. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiV9UOFwisAvBpmNdt2HsqQ/featured |
Description | UCL Haptics Soiree, London, UK - Soft haptics research |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | In November 2023, UCL had the pleasure of hosting an immersive soirée, inviting guests to delve into the captivating realm of haptics. UCL has consistently been at the vanguard of pioneering innovations in this dynamic field. During the event, our team was honoured to present our latest research in haptic technologies, meticulously tailored for surgical applications and prosthetic devices. This exclusive gathering not only highlighted our groundbreaking advancements but also fostered a deeper appreciation for the potential of haptic technology to transform healthcare and improve lives through enhanced tactile feedback mechanisms. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCClvAriB2k |
Description | UCL Robotics '23 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | UCL Robotics '23 - the annual robotics workshop of the Robotics Institute, offers an excellent opportunity to meet, interact and engage with like-minded people working in the field of robotics and benefit from each other. We showcased our research within robotics from across UCL, and provide a broader context with industry speakers. We contributed with a demonstration and a poster. These sparked questions and discussion afterwards, and we attracted academic collaboration across faculties of UCL. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |