Systems Engineering Research Group (SERG)

Dr Spencer Onuh and Yong Chai Tan with some of the Task Machines in the rapid prototyping area of the Regional Centre for Manufacturing

Research led by Dr David Sanders TD is investigating the application of Ambient Intelligence and Knowledge Management methods (as well as CAD and control algorithms) to the automation of powered wheelchairs, management systems, robots and other machinery.

New ultrasonic sensor systems have been created to assist the users of powered wheelchairs and an experimental signpost system is being created at Chailey Heritage.  The signpost system is based on active transmission markers and small personal message decoders to create an audio signpost system. The ultrasonic system is being trialled at Southlands Rehabilitation Centre in Brighton in collaboration with Operational Therapists studying neglect sensory deficit due to stroke (Heminopia). Other work has started on force / movement feedback controls for powered wheelchairs.  Artificial Intelligence methods, automatic path planning and motion planning have been investigated and novel algorithms have been produced.

Improvement to pre-planned machinery motions has been investigated when operating under the constraints of the system dynamics. The form of the machinery dynamics equations has been exploited to establish a set of simple planning rules to increase the efficiency of a range of complex machinery. Other research in this area has investigated the use of diverse models for different parts of manufacturing environments and the automation of spot welding systems at Ford UK Ltd.

New configurations have been investigated for the use of artificial neural networks in robot control and in a more limited form for image processing.  Algorithms are being created which aim to achieve complicated manoeuvres with tele-operated vehicles following research into sensor fusion methods.

recent work has investigated the automation of welding and robotic systems at VT Shipbuilding.

This area has continued to publish the most papers and to complete the most degrees.