Manufacturing - Product Realisation Technnologies
Particular emphasis is given to information and knowledge infrastructures for global product realisation, innovative design methods, human factors in design and manufacture and various specialised product areas including road vehicles and equestrian equipment.
Research Interests
Innovative Manufacturing Design
- Augmented reality and synthesised environments in product and workplace design
- Evolutionary design of form and functionality of products supporting and enhancing aspects of early stages of design
- Inclusive design - design of products that match the changing demographics of modern industrialised nations (an ageing population with economic power)
- Human behavioural modelling in manufacturing environments.
Information and Knowledge Infrastructures for Team-based Design and Global Manufacture
- Knowledge-linked infrastructures to enable integrated, multi-perspective design for manufacture and process planning
- Flexible computational tools in manufacturing decision support in the context of the ongoing international drive towards integrated intelligent systems
- Mechanisms for information and knowledge management in the co-ordination of global manufacturing operations
Human Modelling and Computer Aided Ergonomic Design
- Human modelling for Product and Workplace Design
- Inclusive Design - designing products and workplace, domestic and public environments to include a large part of the population (able-bodied, disabled, young, elderly, etc)
- Human spine modelling
Driver, Vehicle and Traffic Modelling
- Driver vision and decision-making
- Hazard perception and accident causation
- Intelligent vehicle systems and driver workload
- Road and junction design
Analysis of Equestrian Equipment and Horse/rider Performance
- Development of methods for measuring forces and pressures at the bit, saddle and hoof
- Real-time and post-exercise visualisation of forces and pressures at the bit, saddle and hoof
- Computational analysis of saddle function
- Analysis of bio-mechanical action and communication between horse and rider
- Development of new design and manufacturing methods for products with greater emphasis on equine welfare and mechanical performance