PhD Study : Magic Hands: Non-invasive hand tracking for virtual reality and game based stroke rehabilitation.

Summary

Intensive rehabilitation is important for stroke survivors but difficult to achieve due to limited access to rehabilitation therapy. Our previous research [1-3] has involved the development of supplemental assistive technology solutions for exercise and rehabilitation therapy, through the provision of engaging personalised exercises embedded in VR games and using natural hand motion as game controllers. Methods of capturing and quantifying natural hand movements and tracking changes to these over time will be investigated at a fine level (finger and hand gesture tracking) and a coarse level (hand and arm motion). Whilst work has been carried out in capturing and analysing data from healthy hands, a gap exists in doing so for disabled hands.

The proposed research will focus particularly on disabled hand data and will include the collection of a novel, high quality data set. Issues in detecting disabled hand gesture and movement include occlusion, position, shape of the disabled hand, and a lack of movement. Various sensors and aesthetics for capturing hand and arm data will be investigated and compared including webcams, depth cameras, haptics and wi-fi sensors, with a focus on those which are most precise. A redundancy architecture including a novel, multi-resolution sensor fusion technique will be developed to enhance reliability of data tracking. The robust development and refinement of this system will require a balanced and representative data set of adequate volume. Whilst a new data set will be collected, it will be necessary to augment this real data to enhance system development accuracy and efficiency. Deep learning architectures such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) will be investigated and implemented for this purpose.

This project will utilise state-of-the-art research infrastructure and equipment available within the Intelligent Systems Research Centre (ISRC) Scan-iHub. Research builds upon research undertaken across several European projects (EU H2020 projects MAGIC, VR-Relief, and MIDAS) and will utlise existing partnerships with the public and private sector.

1.   Howes, S., Charles, D. K., Pedlow, K., Wilson, IM., Holmes, D. & McDonough, S., User-centred design of an active computer gaming system for strength and balance exercises for older adults In : Journal of Enabling Technologies. 13, 2, p. 101-111, 17 Jun 2019.

2.   Gaming for Health: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Physical and Cognitive Effects of Active Computer Gaming in Older Adults, In : Physical Therapy. 97, 12, p. 1122-1137, 30 Aug 2017.

3.   Holmes, D., Charles, D. K., Morrow, PJ., McClean, S. & McDonough, S. M., Usability and performance of Leap Motion and Oculus Rift for upper arm virtual reality stroke rehabilitation, In : Journal of Alternative Medicine Research. 9, 4, p. 1-10, 15 Feb 2017.

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.

• Research proposal of 1500 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project
• 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%
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• Applicants will be shortlisted if they have an average of 75% or greater in a first (honours) degree (or a GPA of 8.75/10). For applicants with a first degree average in the range of 70% to 74% (GPA 3.3): If they are undertaking an Masters, then the average of their first degree marks and their Masters marks will be used for shortlisting.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

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.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• 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. Further information on cost of living