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PhD Position – Learning to Control Supernumerary Robotic Limbs
The goal of this project is to boost the learning to use a supernumerary robotic limb in combination with the natural arms, while performing several activities of daily living.
Keywords: Supernumerary robotic limbs, embodiment, body ownership, robotics, motor learning, immersive virtual reality, human-machine interfaces, electroencephalography
(EEG), electromyographic (EMG), avatar
Within the Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, clinicians, psychologists and engineers collaborate with the goal to develop and evaluate technologies that promote independent living for elderly and brain injured patients. The group is headed by two clinicians (R. Müri and UP. Mosimann) and two engineers (L. Marchal-Crespo and T. Nef).
The goal of this project is to boost the learning to use a supernumerary robotic limb (purposely developed during the project by our collaborators) in combination with the natural arms, while performing several activities of daily living. To control the robotic arm, we will employ novel human-machine interfaces based on the combined processing of electroencephalographic (EEG), electromyographic (EMG) and kinematic information from different body parts.
Controlling a supernumerary robotic limb in coordination with the natural one(s) employing heterogeneous bio signals (EEG, EMG, and kinematics) is a challenging task. We are seeking a motivated PhD student to develop new training strategies to boost learning to use the “third arm” (e.g., by employing visual and haptic feedback). The candidate will employ immersive virtual environments (using head-mounted displays), where subjects will see the rendered “virtual third arm” and their own upper body as a virtual avatar in order to develop and test the feasibility of his/her novel training strategies. The candidate will then evaluate the transfer of learning from virtual reality to control the real robotic arm. The candidate will have the freedom to put his/her own ideas and creativity to work.
For this position, we are looking for an active and self-motivated person with a master’s degree in psychology, computer science, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering or electrical/mechanical engineering. Experience in game design and/or signal processing is appreciated. Interest to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of roboticists, neuroscientists, and cognitive scientist is important.
The position is available immediately; the starting date can be discussed.
We look forward to you joining our team!
Within the Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, clinicians, psychologists and engineers collaborate with the goal to develop and evaluate technologies that promote independent living for elderly and brain injured patients. The group is headed by two clinicians (R. Müri and UP. Mosimann) and two engineers (L. Marchal-Crespo and T. Nef). The goal of this project is to boost the learning to use a supernumerary robotic limb (purposely developed during the project by our collaborators) in combination with the natural arms, while performing several activities of daily living. To control the robotic arm, we will employ novel human-machine interfaces based on the combined processing of electroencephalographic (EEG), electromyographic (EMG) and kinematic information from different body parts. Controlling a supernumerary robotic limb in coordination with the natural one(s) employing heterogeneous bio signals (EEG, EMG, and kinematics) is a challenging task. We are seeking a motivated PhD student to develop new training strategies to boost learning to use the “third arm” (e.g., by employing visual and haptic feedback). The candidate will employ immersive virtual environments (using head-mounted displays), where subjects will see the rendered “virtual third arm” and their own upper body as a virtual avatar in order to develop and test the feasibility of his/her novel training strategies. The candidate will then evaluate the transfer of learning from virtual reality to control the real robotic arm. The candidate will have the freedom to put his/her own ideas and creativity to work. For this position, we are looking for an active and self-motivated person with a master’s degree in psychology, computer science, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering or electrical/mechanical engineering. Experience in game design and/or signal processing is appreciated. Interest to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of roboticists, neuroscientists, and cognitive scientist is important. The position is available immediately; the starting date can be discussed. We look forward to you joining our team!
Not specified
Always feel free to contact Prof. Dr. Laura Marchal-Crespo, at laura.marchal@artorg.unibe.ch or +41 31 632 93 44. Please send your complete application via e-mail.
Always feel free to contact Prof. Dr. Laura Marchal-Crespo, at laura.marchal@artorg.unibe.ch or +41 31 632 93 44. Please send your complete application via e-mail.