Issue link: https://htpgraphics.uberflip.com/i/1214361
The RAIN Hub has expanded, bringing in additional capabilities. The three new institutions add expertise in the following areas: 1) Miniature pipe robotics 2) Specialist ROV design 3) Human sensory processing to improve the design of innovative technologies THE UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS PI: Dr Jordan Boyle Dr Boyle has a particular interest in biologically-inspired solutions. He has previously worked on modelling neural locomotion control in the nematode C. elegans and applying this understanding to the control of snake-like robots. His current work includes developing miniature robots for inspecting utility pipes and burrowing robots for installing underground cables. Within the RAIN Hub, Leeds researchers will develop an agile pipe-inspection platform capable of operating in a range of diameters down to 2 inches. This will draw on previous research developing miniature mobile robots for use in the human colon. INSTITUTIONS IN THE RAIN HUB THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE PI: Professor Nick Wright Research activities at Newcastle include specialist ROV design, underwater sensors and underwater computer vision with associated machine learning techniques. Within the RAIN Hub, the IMROVAIT project will develop new technologies to significantly improve the operation of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) in nuclear environments. THE UNIVERSITY OF READING PI: Dr Peter Scarfe The overall goal of the team at Reading is to apply knowledge of how the human sensory system processes and integrates multi-sensory information to improve the design and use of systems that utilise 3D visualisation, virtual reality and haptic robotics. The research project they are undertaking as part of the RAIN Hub will examine the way in which altered sensorimotor mappings impact performance in a VR-haptic telerobotic environment. This information can provide guidelines to optimise existing systems and build better systems in the future. 12