Supervisor: Professor Paul Jennings

Funding: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)

Start Date: May 2015

WMG and Jaguar Land Rover are seeking a top class candidate to undertake research leading to the award of an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) from the University of Warwick as part of the WMG / JLR Research for Advanced Concept Development (RACeD) programme.

Through our Doctorate programme you will have unrivalled access to teaching excellence and industrial expertise as part of a multi-disciplinary team of automotive and human factors researchers and engineers. The EngD experience will result in a confident, well equipped individual prepared to make a difference to industry and the global marketplace.

Project Overview:

The vehicle interior is becoming more crowded with more features and functionality available on the move. Additionally people feel the need to stay connected with their digital lives. Interaction with vehicle features, functions and devices places an increased demand on the user and their attentional focus. This needs to be addressed by creating an effective communication channel to the driver through next generation interface systems and technology.

Research will further understand and develop Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems, including peripheral technology, and the focus will be on the information flow, latencies, possible usage scenarios, information content etc.

Associated questions:

• In order to create a holistic and consistent driver information system:
• What are the available options for the optimal interface architecture?
• Which technologies are the most effective communication devices?
• What are the key interface elements and how many interface devices are required?
• Where should they reside to deliver a unique and trusted user experience?

Background:

WMG has a world leading reputation in research and industrial collaboration.  The group has secured a £2.2 million EPSRC Robotics and Autonomous Systems capital grant to develop a unique driving simulator for UK industry-academia R&D. A drive-in, driver-in-the-loop, multi-axis driving simulator is the hub, delivering unique emulation of the external environment (GPS, ITS, WLAN, FM, DAB, cameras, ultrasonic etc.), dynamic vehicle systems (engine, powertrain etc.) and vehicle environment.

The WMG / JLR Research for Advanced Concept Development (RACeD) Doctoral programme will utilise the driving simulator as the hub for a portfolio of both technical and human factors research projects where innovation will lead to the next generation of smart, connected and autonomous vehicles. This project is one of five being created with two candidates already in place.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be UK/EU residents and should have a 1st or 2.1 degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Communications, Computer Science or other related science/engineering discipline.

Technical Attributes:

• Analyse, summarise and effectively present large data sets
• Work with electronics at hardware and software level
• Data fusion, signal processing and analytics
• Knowledge of wireless communication systems
• Modelling and simulation using simulation tools such as Matlab and NI Labview

Personal Attributes:

• Innovative and lateral thinking
• Excellent analytical, reporting and communication skills
• Self-motivated, independent and team player
• Genuine enthusiasm for the subject and technology

Application Details:

Initial enquiries to Prof Paul Jennings (email: paul.jennings<στο>warwick.ac.uk)

To apply please complete our online enquiry form