Available Projects
The following projects are those we currently have available.
Each project is funded partially by EPSRC and partially by the sponsoring companies. Students from outside of the EU will usually need to find funding from elsewhere.
Accelerating R&D for Embedded Systems with Advanced Hardware and Software Development Platforms (Traditional EngD)
Sponsor Company: Jaguar Land Rover
Supervisor: Professor Paul Jennings
Development of embedded-systems-based features and functions requires multiple iterations during the development process. Different vehicle domains carry with them specific requirements. Powertrain and chassis systems require high speed, high integrity signals, critical for the vehicle to perform its primary function. Infotainment systems are less time critical, and the user will tolerate latency e.g. when operating the radio, but are data intensive, handling audio and videos signals. Generic solutions are offered by industry but are often not fit-for-purpose and expensive especially during research activity.
The aim of the project is to create a framework of hardware and software development platforms which can accelerate the R&D process for embedded systems. Find out more about Energy and Electrical Systems at WMG
Technical Implementation of the Self-Learning Car (Traditional EngD)
Sponsor Company: Jaguar Land Rover
Supervisor: Professor Paul Jennings
An aim of the self-learning car is to enhance driver experience by removing the ‘chores’ of driving associated with repetitive, everyday tasks – such as setting a common Satnav destination or tuning to your favourite radio station.
The research will involve investigating sensing and monitoring of the vehicle, occupants, equipment, environment etc., coupled with data from smartphones and the cloud to enhance the self-learning aspects of the vehicle. The focus will initially be on two applications: ‘Rear seat passenger identification’ and ‘Emotional state of the driver'. Find out more about Energy and Electrical Systems at WMG
Sponsor Company: Jaguar Land Rover
Supervisor: Professor Paul Jennings
An aim of the self-learning car is to enhance driver experience by removing the ‘chores’ of driving associated with repetitive, everyday tasks – such as setting a common Satnav destination or tuning to your favourite radio station.
The research will involve investigating sensing and monitoring of the vehicle, occupants, equipment, environment etc., coupled with data from smartphones and the cloud to enhance the self-learning aspects of the vehicle. The focus will initially be on two applications: ‘Rear seat passenger identification’ and ‘Emotional state of the driver'. Find out more about Energy and Electrical Systems at WMG
Evaluating the Self-Learning Car in the Simulated and Real World (Traditional EngD)
Sponsor Company: Jaguar Land Rover
Supervisor: Professor Paul Jennings
Sponsor Company: Jaguar Land Rover
Supervisor: Professor Paul Jennings
An aim of the self-learning car is to reduce driver workload and enhance driver experience by removing the ‘chores’ of driving associated with repetitive, everyday tasks (such as setting a common Satnav destination or tuning to your favourite radio station) with the additional benefit of possible positive effects on driver distraction.
Your research will focus on understanding driver requirements and expectations for such technology, and also evaluating the effectiveness of different solutions to the same problem, both in simulator trials and real-world, on-road driving trials. Find out more about Experiential Engineering at WMG
Your research will focus on understanding driver requirements and expectations for such technology, and also evaluating the effectiveness of different solutions to the same problem, both in simulator trials and real-world, on-road driving trials. Find out more about Experiential Engineering at WMG
A Driver-in-the-Loop Test Methodology for the Connected Car (Traditional EngD)
Supporting Company: Jaguar Land Rover
Supervisor: Professor Paul Jennings
Supervisor: Professor Paul Jennings
The use of mobile communication data in vehicles provides the potential for new and exciting features through nomadic devices (e.g. mobile phones) and integrated communication technology. Mobile cellular networks consist of many coverage cells, each having allocated frequency channels. Coverage within them is dependent on a variety of generations of mobile network technology (2G, 3G or 4G). Mobile data reception within a moving vehicle relies on effective handover from one cell to another, from voice to data etc. Signal attenuation, multipath fading and interference can have a significant impact on the handover process and therefore the Quality of Service (QoS).
The aim of the project is to develop a system test and evaluation methodology to address technical challenges with mobile data reception using driver-in-the-loop. Find out more about Energy and Electrical Systems at WMG
The aim of the project is to develop a system test and evaluation methodology to address technical challenges with mobile data reception using driver-in-the-loop. Find out more about Energy and Electrical Systems at WMG
Next Generation Human Machine Interfaces (Traditional EngD)
Supporting Company: Jaguar Land Rover
Supervisor: Professor Paul Jennings
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. Find out more about Energy and Electrical Systems in WMG
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. Find out more about Energy and Electrical Systems in WMG
For Metal to CFRP SPR Joining Methods (Traditional EngD)
Sponsor Company: Jaguar Land Rover
Supervisor: Dr Darren Hughes
This EngD project will seek to optimise the use of the Self Pierce Riveting (SPR) on a metal-carbon fibre reinforce plastic (CFRP) hybrid vehicle body, which including metal in sheet and casting forms. The studentship will also investigate the feasibility of the using other conventional joining techniques on metal-CFRP heterogeneous joining.
Student Eligibility
Training grants from EPSRC to universities include funding for fees and stipends (maintenance payments for students).
To be eligible for a full award (stipend and fees) a student must have:
- Settled status in the UK, meaning they have no restrictions on how long they can stay
and
- Been 'ordinarily resident' in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the grant. This means they must have been normally residing in the UK (apart from temporary or occasional absences)
and
- Not been residing in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education. (This does not apply to UK or EU nationals)
To be eligible for a fees only award (EU students):
Students from EU countries other than the UK are generally eligible for a fees-only award. To be eligible for a fees-only award, a student must be:
- ordinarily resident in a member state of the EU, in the same way as UK students must be ordinarily resident in the UK.
Note: These eligibility criteria are based on the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations 1997 and subsequent amendments, covering England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Submit an enquiry
If you are interested in any of these projects, please complete our enquiry form and upload your CV