Robot fingers point to success for Leeds Beckett engineering student

Working with Dr Mark Judge, George recently completed his final-year project, titled: Gesture controlled humanoid robotics using 3D-printed parts and inexpensive microcontroller systems. This project is the culmination of George’s three year course at Leeds Beckett. During that time, he completed several robot projects, including one that models the NASA MARS Exploration Rover.

His most recent humanoid robot project saw George combine artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, including machine learning (ML) methods, with electronics and additive manufacturing. By first capturing and measuring a human operator’s gestures, using myoelectric sensors on the skin, George developed a system to process these signals. Correctly identifying the gesture, the system then recreates the human movements remotely on a 3D-printed humanoid robot arm. This approach often features in advanced research projects.

Dr Judge noted: “From the early days of his first year, it was clear that George was a smart, engaged and energetic student. He always went above and beyond what was required for assignments, and he was always keen to keep going, developing better solutions in the robot labs - I’m very pleased that all of his hard work has paid off”.

Such was the success of his recent final-year robot project that George has now been invited to study for a PhD at the prestigious Bristol Robotics Lab. George will be continuing his research in Robotics and Autonomous Systems as part of the their fully-funded, four year FARSCOPE programme.

Commenting on his recent success, George said: “Doing engineering at Leeds Beckett has exceeded my expectations, providing me with both the skills and confidence to achieve what I have achieved. The lab work allows us students to apply the theory we’ve learnt and also try different approaches to really discover how we work best. The lecturers are approachable and the project supervision shows they really care about their students’ success”.

George’s acceptance by such a prestigious robotics lab highlights the recognised high standard of the robotics and electronics courses at Leeds Beckett University, and continues a tradition of our graduates routinely going on to successful careers and further advanced study.

Robotics and Electronics Engineering continues to flourish at Leeds Beckett. Our research-led and problem-based learning approach combines theory with plenty of hands-on development work. During their course, our engineering students regularly gain well paid, year-long placements, often with companies such as Jaguar Land Rover and Farnell Electronics. This industrial experience, together with their academic and project work, gives our students a real advantage when they graduate.

Contact Dr Mark Judge for further information on Leeds Beckett robotics and AI courses and research.