Using embedded sensors in mobile/wearable devices to provide customised navigation support and enhanced digital maps through crowdsourced information

Using embedded sensors in mobile/wearable devices to provide customised navigation support and enhanced digital maps through crowdsourced information. A Fully Funded PhD Studentship co-sponsored by Ordnance Survey

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Embedded Intelligence at Loughborough University is offering a fully-funded PhD studentship to eligible UK/EU applicants. It will run for 4 years and includes:

• A fee waiver equivalent to the home/EU rate
• An enhanced EPSRC tax-free stipend of up to £17,296 p.a. for four years.
• A personal training budget of £10,000 to support specific training needs.

International/overseas students may also apply but the studentship will be used to cover International fees in the first instance.
The provision of navigation information for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers currently provides little customisation/adaptation according to the context of use (route familiarity, mode of transport etc.). In addition it provides little in the way of a feedback loop in order to enhance the content of the underlying digital maps (e.g. walking times according to time of day/crowds). This project will exploit the opportunities offered by ubiquitous personal devices (e.g. smartphones, wearable fitness wristbands/watches) to collect data about the person and environment through a range of current/future sensors (GPS, accelerometer, heartrate). The data can be intelligently combined to provide an enhanced user experience whilst crowdsourcing information to improve the attributes of digital geographic information.

The project would require direct engagement with both end users and Ordnance Survey to determine the requirements for this kind of system. It would involve the use of sensors, software programming and user-interface design to develop prototypes to be tested in real-world contexts. In-situ user tests would be required to collect evidence of impact on user tasks. Analysis of the crowdsourced data collected, and potentially, visualisations of this data, would need to be conducted in close collaboration with Ordnance Survey in order to tie-in with their digital data processes.

Applicants should
• Have a first class honours or good upper second class degree in a subject area which combines user-centred design and computer or information science.
• Have an understanding and experience of applying user-centred design methods from requirements gathering through to real-world evaluation.
• Technical knowledge and software development skills needed would be the ability to aggregate data from sensors, develop intelligent software and prototype interfaces that could be tested in user trials. Data visualisation and graphic design skills would be an advantage.
• Demonstrate a keen interest in geographic information and its use to personalise the user experience of technology.
• Meet the minimum English Language requirements, details available on the website
• Satisfy the UK residency requirement – see EPSRC eligibility criteria

How to Apply

Applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Please select "CDT Embedded Intelligence Wolfson School" under Programme Selection and quote reference CDTEIDS1 under Research Interests.
Informal enquires about the research project should be made to Tracy Ross, [Email Address Removed], 01509 226913. Enquiries about the application process and CDT programme can be made to [Email Address Removed] or visit the website www.cdt-ei.org.

Application deadline: 31 January 2017