LLM-Integrated Robotics for Industry 5.0

Summary

Manufacturing is undergoing a fundamental shift toward an Industry 5.0 model, which is human-centric and designed to augment human intelligence and well-being.

This research aims to enable this paradigm shift by upgrading existing Industry 4.0 robotic systems to meet Industry 5.0 standards through the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs).

By incorporating Natural Language Processing (NLP) capability, this project will enhance human-robot interaction in a more natural way.

Despite the widespread use of current robotic systems, a critical gap prevents alignment with human operator expectations. Key challenges include:

1. Communication Barriers: Current robots require a direct structured command syntax, which is difficult for operators to provide, preventing the robots from following natural language instructions.
2. Costly Transition: Replacing these systems with new Industry 5.0 robots requires huge investment from manufacturers.
3. Limited Cognitive Integration: These robots lack the cognitive ability enhanced by LLMs to effectively perform tasks and interact naturally with humans.

This project offers an LLM-based upgrade as a cost-effective, viable solution to achieve Industry 5.0 compliance. The research will focus on three core contributions:

1.  Domain-Specific Corpus Development and LLM Training:

We will develop a comprehensive corpus for NLP related to industrial robot applications, collecting data from sources like manufacturing guidelines and manuals.

This corpus will be used to train and validate LLMs, ensuring domain-specific competency.

2.  Novel LLM-to-Robot Command Translation Framework:

We will design and implement a framework that robustly translates complex natural language instructions into the structured command syntax required by the robotic platform.

This directly enables the robot to follow human commands in a natural way.

3.  Transferable LLM Integration Methodology for Legacy Systems:

We will develop a generalised methodology for integrating LLMs with diverse legacy robotic platforms.

This provides a repeatable, architectural pattern for incorporating cognitive NLP capabilities, offering a broad, cost-effective upgrade path to meet Industry 5.0 standards.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%
• For VCRS Awards, Masters at 75%
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• Use of personal initiative as evidenced by record of work above that normally expected at career stage.

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)

This scholarship will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £21,000* (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum is also available.

To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National, or

• Have settled status, or

• Have pre-settled status, or

• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter, or

• be an Irish National

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period