Doctoral scholarships in Robotics and Human Assistance

18 December 2018

Decision Automation for Orchards and Vineyards is an exciting new research programme funded by the NZ Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. This research programme is a partnership between the Universities of Auckland, Waikato, Canterbury, and Otago, the Plant and Food Research Institute, Lincoln Agritech Ltd, and several companies and industry organisations.

As partners, we are committed to working together on this research programme to design, develop, and evaluate robotics, as well as the sensing hardware and software that will perform vital tasks for orchards and vineyards. This project builds on previous research between the partners, including outdoor mobile robotics, pollination, harvesting, pruning, and yield estimation in orchards and vineyards.

We are currently seeking enthusiastic and capable PhD candidates to assist us to perfect these new technologies.

Multiple scholarships are available that include full stipends and tuition fees for three years. We especially welcome applications from Māori scholars as a number of our scholarships are reserved for Māori doctoral candidates.

We hope to fill the advertised positions as soon as possible. Our doctoral candidates will work across the project with researchers from our partner organisations. For further advice on admission and our scholarship programme, please contact the supervisor(s) of the project you would like to join.

General inquiries about this doctoral scholarship programme can be directed to our Programme Leader, Professor Bruce MacDonald.

University of Auckland

The project is based in the University's Centre for Automation and Robotic Engineering Science (CARES) and James Henare Māori Research Centre (JHMRC).

The mission of the multidisciplinary CARES is to create innovative and inspiring robotic technologies that improve physical, psychological and economic societal wellbeing. The group's research activities are principally based in the area of human-robot interaction, robot programming systems and tools and applications including robotics for healthcare, precision farming, underwater, and factories. Previous related research includes sensing, machine learning, and tracking of objects for augmented reality and for flowers and fruit in orchards.

JHMRC focuses on providing excellent research to empower Māori. JHMRC will lead partnerships with Māori business and farming communities, perspectives on the project's design and education, and the development of capability through Māori PhD and summer students. To discuss this opportunity further, please contact Dr Marama Muru-Lanning.

Project 1: Machine learning of orchard and vineyard tasks (two positions)

Supervisors: Professor Bruce MacDonald and Dr Henry Williams
Focused on sensing and analysing human execution of tasks outdoors and creating a task description.

Project 2: Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality human assistance with computer vision

Supervisors: Professor Bruce MacDonald and Associate Professor Patrice Delmas
Using AR/VR to help human orchard and vineyard works to make better decisions when carrying out tasks, based on the learned task description and decision making.

Project 3: Artificial Intelligence decision making for orchard and vineyard tasks

Supervisors: Professor Bruce MacDonald and Dr Ho Seok Ahn
Making decisions to execute a task based on the learned task description.

Entry requirements

  • Applicants should have a high quality first degree in Electrical, Electronic, Computer, Software, Mechatronics, or Mechanical Engineering, or Computer Science
  • Strong practical ability in machine vision, algorithm and software development, and advanced programming skills especially in C/C++
  • Knowledge of ROS, OpenCV, machine learning, and modern software engineering practice are desirable
  • Being able to work in a team and meet project deadlines is essential
  • Māori students are encouraged to apply and will be able to work together the JHMRC

University of Waikato

The projects will be based at the University of Waikato's Robotics, Automation and Sensing (WaiRAS) research group. 

Project 1: Mechatronic Devices (two positions)

Supervisors: Professor Mike Duke and Dr Shen Hin Lim
Developing mechatronics hardware integrated with wearable robotics that enables humans to harvest blueberries, thin apple buds and prune vines.

Project 2: Augmented Reality Wearable Robotics

Supervisors: Professor Mike Duke and Dr Shen Hin Lim
Working with research partners to develop wearable robotics that control handheld mechatronic devices for harvesting blueberries, thinning apples and pruning vines.

Entry Requirements

  • Applicants should have a high quality first degree in Electrical, Electronic, Mechatronic, or Mechanical engineering
  • Strong practical ability in mechatronics/mechanical design and ideally programming in C/C++
  • Being able to work in a team and meet project deadlines is essential
  • Māori students are encouraged to apply

University of Canterbury

This project will be based in University of Canterbury's AI Robotics (UC AIR).

Autonomous pruning

Supervisor: Professor Richard Green
Given an accurate 3D model of a vine/tree and expert pruner knowledge, the goal is to develop an AI approach to optimally prune. Although autonomous, an orchid/vineyard manager human interface is also needed to inform the wide range of alternative pruning operations.

Entry requirements

  • Applicants should have a high quality first degree in Computer Science or Software, Electrical, Electronic, or Mechatronics engineering
  • Strong theoretical and practical ability in computer vision, deep learning and other machine learning optimisations
  • Being able to work in a team and meet project deadlines is essential
  • Māori students are encouraged to apply

University of Otago

The project will be based in the University of Otago's Centre for Sustainability.

Technology and communities in the food system: exploring engagement and effects of robotics and AI in agriculture

Supervisor: Dr Katharine Legun
This project will be focused on the social implications of new robotics and AI technologies in agriculture, focusing on perceived and expected changes in farming communities as a response to automating parts of agricultural work.

Entry Requirements

  • Applicants should have a Master’s degree in Sociology, Geography, Anthropology, or a related discipline. Candidates with a strong honours degree will also be considered
  • Applicants should have research skills in qualitative interviewing and analysis, or surveys and statistical analysis
  • Strong writing skills

Lincoln Agritech Limited

Project 1: Neural Networks for Sensor Fusion in Canopy Analysis

Supervisors: Professor Armin Werner and Dr Jaco Fourie
Fundamental principles in AI-based combining of data from various sensors with complementary features to derive 3D-data on key components of grape vines and apple trees in front of manual workers.

Project 2: Plant Canopy Progression Model

Supervisors: Professor Armin Werner and Dr Jaco Fourie
Modelling the development of structural components (branches, canes, bud & flowers) of grape vines and apple trees to simulate the future of the canopy morphology in front of manual workers.

Project 3: Sensor based safe Human Assistance

Supervisors: Professor Armin Werner and Dr Abbas Jafari
Developing sensing technologies that ensure safe support of manual workers through wearable actuators and robots in orchards or vineyards.

Entry Requirements

  • Applicants should have a high quality first degree Master’s degree in biology, crop science, horticulture, agricultural engineering or a related discipline. 
  • Experience in field trials with crops, sensing technologies, statistical analysis and AI-based tools
  • Skills and interest in algorithm and software development, and experience in working in interdisciplinary teams
  • Māori students are encouraged to apply
  • Depending on candidate availability, projects 2 and 3 may be deferred to start in 2020