PhD Studentship: Driver Model Inversion for Real-time Adaptive Vehicle Configuration and Control

Short info about job

Detail information about job PhD Studentship: Driver Model Inversion for Real-time Adaptive Vehicle Configuration and Control. Terms and conditions vacancy

Start date: October 2017

Primary supervisor: Dr Matt Best

Loughborough University is one of the largest and most successful centres for Engineering research in the UK.  Following the Programme for Simulation Innovation (PSi), a major collaborative research project funded by the EPSRC and Jaguar Land Rover, the Dynamics research group of Dept Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering offers this exciting opportunity to study for PhD while supported by a generous bursary. This Case award project is also a collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover and is funded by Loughborough University, Jaguar Land Rover and the EPSRC.

Project Detail:

The focus of this project is to develop a relatively simple driver model  to represent regular, every-day driving, and invert it to characterise the driver in real-time. The model describes steering and speed on a given path using parameters which correlate to driver mood, skill, and driving style.  Inversion is achieved by embedding the model in a real-time filter which takes GPS, steer and accel/brake inputs from the car to continuously estimate the parameters of the model, and hence continuously characterise the driving behaviour as it changes through the journey or with different drivers.  

This new information will allow automatic adaptation of vehicle settings to enhance driving pleasure, economy and safety, without the need for the driver to make conscious choices.  The system also has applications in future autonomous vehicles, helping them achieve naturalistic driving and assisting with driving handover.

The research group already has two dedicated research test vehicles fitted with high fidelity Inertial Navigation data acquisition systems, so the project has access to all the equipment required to conduct in-vehicle tests from the start.  It is also supported by our CrudenTM motion simulator, so further experiments can be conducted for validation or to carry out tests which would be too dangerous to conduct on the public road.

Successful candidates will be expected to work closely with the Industrial partner and to make presentations at review meetings and workshops. They will also be encouraged to undertake short placements with the industrial partner and to travel to International conferences and seminars.

Find out more:

Details of the Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering can be found at: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/aae/

For an informal chat about the opportunities and for further information you are welcome to contact Dr Matt Best at [email protected] or tel +44 (0)1509 227209.

Entry requirements:

Candidates must be expecting, or have already obtained, a first degree (1st class, 2:1 honours or equivalent) in engineering, physics or mathematical sciences. Good communication skills are essential.

Funding information:

The studentship is for 4 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £18,000 per annum for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. The project will also have generous funding for a computer, use of test vehicle and travel, including international conferences.

This is only available to those who are eligible to pay UK/EU fees. To qualify for a full award, all applicants must meet the EPSRC eligibility criteria including the minimum UK residency requirement, https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/

How to apply:

All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, select ‘Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering’  

Please quote reference number: AAE-MCB-1713