EPSRC iCASE Award (BAE Systems) PhD studentship: Origin Location and Orientation of Imagery Aims

Project: Origin location and orientation of imagery aims to exploit imagery to be able to locate the position of the camera and in particular its orientation. Whilst this can be achieved with local telemetry (e.g. GPS or gyros) to fit telemetry with the desired precision (particularly with respect to orientation) may not be possible or affordable. Furthermore, synchronisation of the telemetry with the video stream may be a challenging technical problem for unstable platforms. Consequently, it is desirable to infer this information from an image itself with reference to static contextual information (e.g. maps). It is understood that this is related to the ‘well known’ SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) problem, but differs in that the map in this case is known. In these cases, it can be assumed that the location of the sensor is known to a resolution of 100m (probably less).

The University of Manchester has signed a strategic framework agreement with the multinational defence, security and aerospace company BAE Systems to establish a long-term relationship in research, education and consultancy.

BAE Systems provides some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions and employ a skilled workforce of some 82,500 people in over 40 countries. We develop, engineer, manufacture and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security and people and keep critical information and infrastructure secure. In 2016 BAE Systems reported sales of £19.02B. BAE Systems Naval Ships is exploring the application of artificial intelligence technologies to assist in decision making providing command teams with enhanced computer aided support and thereby increasing operational performance.

The University of Manchester boasts one of the most innovative and successful schools of computer science in the world. Manchester saw the birth of computer science, with the creation of the world’s first stored-program computer. The School of Computer Science was ranked in the top 5% in the UK (4th out of 89 submissions) based on GPA for Computer Science and Informatics in REF2014, the most recent UK research assessment. REF2014 also assessed that The University of Manchester is the best environment in the UK for computer science and informatics research, with 94% of our research being classed as “world-leading” (4*) or “internationally excellent” (3*). All our “impact” case studies were ranked 3* and 4*, which puts us joint-top for research impact.

Applicants should have or expect to obtain a BSc 1st Class or MSc with Distinction in computer science or a related discipline and have good data analysis, image processing and programming skills. Applicants must also have British citizenship or be a permanent resident and have lived in the UK for the last 3 years.

Informal enquiries can be made to Tim Morris ([Email Address Removed]).